Published in the May 2, 2016 edition
WAKEFIELD — Police arrested a 26-year-old Amesbury man on charges of kidnapping after receiving a report of a person being held hostage in a motor vehicle just after noon on Saturday. A 911 caller told police that a man was being held against his will in a truck that was leaving the Shaw’s parking lot on Water Street. Police stopped the truck in the area of Water and Vernon streets and ordered the driver to open the truck. They pulled both men from the truck and handcuffed them until they were able to determine that the passenger was the victim.
The passenger said that he knew the driver, Aparicio H. Smart Jr., from when both were serving time at the Middleton House of Correction. The passenger said that he had been working for Smart, but stated that on Saturday Smart “went nuts” and threatened to harm him if he got out of the truck. The passenger was able to text his girlfriend, who called 911.
Aparicio H. Smart Jr. of 21 Congress St. in Amesbury was placed under arrest on the kidnapping charge.
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Just after 11 a.m. on Friday, police and the firefighters went to the head of the Lake after a 2-year-old girl locked herself in a car. The firefighters were able to successfully gain entry and free the toddler.
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On Friday at about 1:20 p.m. Police and the Fire Department went to North Avenue and Chestnut Street after a caller reported a minor two-car crash after a car pulled out of a parking space and collided with another vehicle. There were no injuries. One citation was issued
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At about 7 p.m. on Friday, a caller requested a well-being check at a local home for a woman who was reportedly intoxicated. Police ended up placing a 53-year-old Wakefield woman in protective custody. She was additionally charged with assault and battery on a police officer.
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Police arrested a 22-year-old New York City woman on an outstanding warrant after an employee at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel on Audubon Road reported receiving an anonymous call at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday stating that there was suspicious activity going on in Room 705.
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Police and the Fire Department responded to a report of a minor two-car accident in the area of 590 Main St. at about 11:40 a.m. on Saturday. There were no reported injuries.
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Just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, Police, firefighters and Action Ambulance responded to the Route 129 Rotary for a reported two-car accident. One individual was taken to the hospital complaining of neck pain. The other four occupants of the cars refused medical treatment. One citation was issued for “following too close” and a Toyota Corolla was towed from the scene.
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On Sunday at about 9:15 a.m., a caller reported that a vehicle had been broken into on Second Street. At about 9:50 a.m., more motor vehicle break-ins were reported on Blue Jay Circle.
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Just after 7 p.m. on Sunday, a Summer Street resident reported that his Donald Trump sign had been stolen from his front lawn.
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The Fire Department responded to 26 calls over the weekend, 12 of which were for medical aid.
At 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, firefighters responded to a reported brush fire on the railroad tracks near Crystal Lake. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.
At about 12:30 p.m., the Fire Department went to a West Water Street address to put out a mulch fire.
Firefighters went to another West Water Street address at about 1:40 p.m. for an accidental fire alarm activations set off by candles and incense. The Fire Department was back at the same address at 3:15 p.m for the same reason.
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Firefighters went to 380 Main St. at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday on a report of a strange odor in the building. It turned out that the floors being refinished in the vacant former bridal shop on the first floor was the likely source of the odor.
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On Sunday at about 11 p.m., firefighters went to a reported chemical spill at Prospect and Brook streets. It turned out to be several bags of dry ice left on the road. Firefighters swept the material to the side.
