A 21-year-old Boston man has been arrested and charged with armed robbery after what Haverhill police say was an alleged drug deal and gang initiation gone awry.
Angel Lozano was taken into custody Monday, Dec. 10, the morning after police say he and a 17-year-old juvenile wore masks and allegedly pistol-whipped a teen on Vine Street who was there to sell drugs.
According to a police report filed by Detective Taylor Anderson, the confessed drug dealer told police he had a gun pointed at the back of his head shortly after arriving to the property. “He heard one of the males say ‘Don’t move, this is an initiation,’” Anderson recounted, adding that the witness believed the initiation was for the teen purchasing the drugs.
During the incident, the masked men made off with two cell phones and several THC cartridges used to smoke marijuana with a vape pen.
Through a series of interviews, police were able to identify Lozano, described during the investigation as looking like a “Hispanic Seth Rogen” with the nickname “Sicko,” as one of the masked gunmen.
Lozano was apprehended by police during a traffic stop and found in possession of a handgun and bandana allegedly used in the robbery. Charged with armed and masked robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Lozano was denied bail during a Haverhill District Court appearance.
The 17-year-old male also allegedly involved in the incident was arrested on the same charges. He faces arraignment in Lawrence Juvenile Court.