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Thursday, may 8

Josh Lanier

Assistant Managing Editor

jlanier@dailyvoice.com

Josh Lanier started his reporting career in high school for his local newspaper. Many — many — years later, he’s still chasing leads for compelling stories. During his time writing for newspapers, magazines, and online publications, he’s covered everything from murderers to mommy bloggers, but his most interesting story is always the next one.

Josh Lanier's Contributions

Police & Fire

Man Held Woman In Campfire During Attack In Southern Mass: Police A woman said a man set her ablaze by shoving her into a campfire and holding her there earlier this week, authorities said. Robert McWilliams, 45, whose last known address is listed in New Bedford, was arrested in Fairhaven on charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, intimidation, and assault with intent to kill, police said. Fairhaven officers found a woman with burns to her upper body in the Long Road area on Monday, March 20, just after 8 p.m. She told them a man she knew attacked her and threw her into a campfire. She tried to …

03/22/2023

Police & Fire

Fatal Shooting: Police Investigating Killing In Western Mass Police in Hampden County are investigating a fatal shooting earlier this week, authorities said. The slaying happened around 11:20 a.m. on Monday, March 20, in the 0-100 block of Mattoon Street, Springfield police said. Officers responded to calls in the area and found the victim bleeding when they arrived. Responders rushed the man to Baystate Medical Center, but he later died of his wounds. Springfield police did not release the victim's name. Investigators ask anyone with information about the killing or who witnessed anything suspicious around the time of the shooting to co…

03/22/2023

Police & Fire

Child Rape: Middle School Teacher Accused Of Assaulting Minor, Central Mass DA Says A Worcester County middle school English teacher is on administrative leave after he was accused of raping a child, authorities said. Todd Peloquin, 52, of Leicester, was arrested earlier this month and charged with aggravated rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child over 14, among other crimes, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said. He has pleaded not guilty in the case. Peloquin taught at Charlton Middle School, school officials said, but he is not accused of assaulting a …

03/21/2023

Police & Fire

Child Porn: Sex Offender Had Multiple Devices With Videos, Images At Chelsea Home, Feds Say Police found child pornography at the home of a 54-year-old registered sex offender in Chelsea, federal authorities said. Lasall Johnson faces a charge of possession of child pornography following the search, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Officers arrested him on Monday, March 20. Police began investigating Johnson after someone using his IP address exchanged child porn on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network, the prosecutor said. Authorities searched his home and found six devices with the offending material. Johnson was convicted of two counts of assault to rap…

03/21/2023

Police & Fire

(Updated) Building Blaze: 2-Alarm Fire Causes Traffic Issues In Central Mass UPDATE: Auburn police announced they had reopened Route 20 west following the Tuesday morning fire. 12:25pm on 3/21- 20 West at the Oxford line is back open!! — Auburn Police (@AuburnMAPolice) March 21, 2023 -------- Police in Worcester County warned drivers Tuesday morning, March 21, that a fire at a lawn-seeding business could cause traffic problems in portions of Auburn and Oxford, officials said. Crews responded to 157 Southbridge Street after a blaze broke out at the Hydro Grass warehouse, fire departments said. Oxford firefighters called for a second alarm just after 10 a.m. a…

03/21/2023

Police & Fire

Man Seriously Injured In Springfield Shooting: Police Springfield police are investigating a shooting that left one man seriously wounded earlier this week. The shooting happened in the 0 to 100 block of Belmont Ave. just after 4 p.m. on Monday, March 20. Officers found the victim bleeding from his wounds, and paramedics rushed him to Baystate Medical Center with serious injuries, Springfield police said. Authorities have not released the man's name or an update on his condition. Detectives are searching for the shooter.

03/21/2023

Police & Fire

Bank Robbery: Man Arrested 30 Minutes After Western Mass Heist, Police Say A 59-year-old man was arrested only about 30 minutes after he allegedly held up a Hampden County bank, authorities said. Richard Villeneuve, 59, of Springfield, is charged with unarmed robbery in the Friday, March 17th heist, Springfield police said on Monday. Officers said Villeneuve entered the TD Bank at 441 Cooley Street around 4:40 p.m. and handed the teller a note demanding cash. They obliged but hit the silent panic button that alerted police to the robbery. Police spotted Villeneuve on Hudson Street just after 5 p.m. and arrested him with the cash still …

03/20/2023

Police & Fire

Two Injured In Western Mass Car Crash; Fire Department Cut Driver From Car Firefighters in Hampden County had to cut someone out of their car following a crash in Holyoke over the weekend. Crews were called to the intersection of Northampton Street and Whiting Farms Road just before 10 p.m. Sunday, March 19, after a truck crashed into a car, the Holyoke Fire Department said. Firefighters had to break the windshield of one vehicle to get the injured out after the wreck. Though all injuries were considered minor, officials said. Holyoke police are investigating the cause of the crash.

03/20/2023

Police & Fire

Son Indicted In Slaying Of His Father, Trying To Burn Down Western Mass Home: DA A 35-year-old Hampshire County man was indicted on Monday, March 20, in the murder of his father and attempting to burn his body in a house fire, authorities said. Craig R. Weise, of South Hadley, is accused of killing his father, David Weise Sr., 70, in September, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. He faces a charge of murder and attempted arson of a dwelling, the prosecutor said. He is expected to be arraigned on April 3. Police found David Weise Sr.'s body at his home at 37 Lawn Street on Sept. 9 after a healthcare agency called officers to request a …

03/20/2023

Police & Fire

Officer Dies Off-Duty: Central Mass Mourns Loss Of 18-Year Police Veteran A Worcester police sergeant called a "dedicated servant" by several community groups died last week while off duty, the department announced over the weekend. Official said Monday that his funeral services are set for later this week. Derrick Leto, a husband and father of two, who served as the department's diversity coordinator and recruiter, was an 18-year veteran of the force, Worcester police said. He served as a US Marine before joining the police department. He died on Friday, March 17. “Sgt. Leto had a passion for providing youth with opportunities,” Worcester Chief Steven Sarge…

03/20/2023

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