Celebration turns violent in Fitchburg
FITCHBURG — A man was arrested on several assault charges after getting into a fight during a family gathering last Saturday and injuring a woman with a knife, according to police and court documents.
On Saturday, at about 11:30 p.m., police were called to an area of Birch and Albee streets for a report of a large disturbance that involved a knife, according to a police report of the incident.
Officers described the situation as “very chaotic” with numerous broken beer bottles and at least 10 individuals upset and actively arguing in the middle of Heywood Street.
Because additional individuals, as many as 30, were approaching the area, mutual assistance was called for officer safety that included a police “Hot Spot Patrol,” the Fitchburg State University Police, a K9 unit from Lunenburg, and State Police, police reported.
After securing the scene, it was learned that during a birthday celebration an argument began that escalated into a physical altercation with Juan C. Morales, 28, of 10 Albee St., Apt. 2L, allegedly threatening two women and two men with a knife, police reported.
Morales was seen running out of his apartment toward the four individuals and allegedly began making threats and waving the knife, which resulted in one of the women receiving multiple lacerations on both arms, police reported.
Morales was arrested and taken into custody.
As a result of the incident, Morales was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, according to court documents.
When arraigned on Monday, he was ordered held in lieu of posting $500 cash bail or $5,000 surety bond, according to court documents.
His next court appearance is set for Aug. 15.
Leominster man arrested in 4th offense OUI
LEOMINSTER — A city man was ordered held in lieu of posting $1,500 cash bail or $15,000 surety bond after being charged with fourth offense OUI last week.
David M. Bergeron, 58, of 77 Hickory Road, was driving erratically when stopped by police and admitted he had been drinking, according to police.
He was charged with OUI and a marked-lanes violation, according to court documents.
When arraigned on Monday in District Court, it was noted in the court documents that his third OUI occurred 25 years ago.
Bergeron is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 19 for a pre-trial hearing.
Leominster man chargedd in bomb or hijack threat
FITCHBURG — On May 5, at approximately 2:20 p.m., witnesses at the McKay Arts Academy on Rindge Road, which was in session, heard someone scream from a moving car, “There is an active shooter,” according to court and police documents.
The man believed to have yelled — and it was noted in the police report it was heard inside the school and by parents in the parking lot — was Cody S. McGinnis, 23, of 14 Norwood Ave., Leominster, according to court documents.
When arraigned Monday in District Court on a single charge of making a bomb or hijack threat, McGinnis was released on a written promise to appear and stay away from the McKay School, according to court documents.
He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 22.
Man arrested in disturbance, police assault
FITCHBURG — Police were called last Friday to a report of a man banging on the doors of the several apartments at 20 Myrtle Ave. and yelling, according to police and court documents.
When officers arrived they located William Gearhart, 52, of the same address apartment 5, according to police.
While attempting to speak to Gearhart, police said, he allegedly charged at the responding officer attempting to push him out the door.
Gearhart also allegedly attempted to pull the officer to the ground by grabbing him around the waist.
He was arraigned in District Court on Monday on charges of assault and battery on a police officer and disturbing the peace, according to court documents.
Gearhart was released on a written promise to appear and to return to court on Aug. 29 for a pre-trial hearing.
