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Blackstone, MA

Police & Fire
Central Mass Elderly Woman Nearly Loses More Than $20K In Scam; Police Issue Warning Central Mass Elderly Woman Nearly Loses More Than $20K In Scam; Police Issue Warning
Central Mass Elderly Woman Nearly Loses More Than $20K In Scam; Police Issue Warning An elderly woman in Worcester County was nearly out more than $20,000 after a scam artist tried to prey on her vulnerabilities.  The woman called Blackstone police on Friday, June 28, after she became suspicious that the man was trying to steal from her.  She told investigators that she received a message that she believed was from her bank that said her account was compromised. She called the number on the message, and the person who answered said she needed to remove as much money as possible to "reclaim" her account, Blackstone police said.  He told her to meet with a "sp…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Ex-Central Mass Retail Manager Who Stole $400K From Employer Sentenced To Prison: Feds Ex-Central Mass Retail Manager Who Stole $400K From Employer Sentenced To Prison: Feds
Ex-Central Mass Retail Manager Who Stole $400K From Employer Sentenced To Prison: Feds A 49-year-old Worcester County former retail manager must repay the money he stole and pay nearly $90,000 in back taxes after he admitted to a payroll scheme at his former company, authorities said.  Anthony Prizio, of Blackstone, was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday, June 24, after he pleaded guilty in February to six counts of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He must also pay $431,399 in restitution to his former unnamed employer.  Prizio was a manager at a Worcester second-hand retail store, and investigators said he f…

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by Josh Lanier
News
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass Man 2nd Person In Family To Win Million Dollar Payday $1M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass Man 2nd Person In Family To Win Million Dollar Payday
$1M Lottery Jackpot: Central Mass Man 2nd Person In Family To Win Million Dollar Payday A Worcester County man who won $1 million in the Massachusetts State Lottery said he's been playing the same numbers for 20 years. That’s around the same time his wife won a $1 million jackpot in the lottery. Thomas Ensko, of Blackstone, claimed the seven-figure jackpot after correctly guessing five of the "Mega Millions" numbers in the multi-state drawing on Tuesday, June 11. Those numbers were 1, 5, 7, 22, and 24, with the Megaplier 8.  Related: Blackstone Woman Is Newly Minted Millionaire  He plans to use the money to help his children and grandchildren.  Ensko b…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Woman Has Big Plans For Lottery Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Woman Has Big Plans For Lottery Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Woman Has Big Plans For Lottery Payday A Worcester County woman said she knows how she'll spend the $1 million she recently won playing the Massachusetts State Lottery.  Lee Renaud, of Blackstone, won the seven-figure prize playing the “$1,000,000 Stacks of Cash," a $5 scratch-off ticket.  Renaud chose to take the lump sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  She said she wants to spend that money on her family.  Renaud bought the ticket at D&H Variety at 1210 Social St. in Blackstone. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for the sale. 

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Father, Son Busted With Drugs For Sale, Illegal Gun In Central Mass: Police Father, Son Busted With Drugs For Sale, Illegal Gun In Central Mass: Police
Father, Son Busted With Drugs For Sale, Illegal Gun In Central Mass: Police A father and son face a mountain of felonies after police found an illegal gun, more than 100 grams of cocaine, and several other drugs inside their Worcester County home, authorities said. Michael Pitler, age 45, and Zachary Pitler, age 21, both of Blackstone, were arrested on Friday, Feb. 16, after police and federal agents raided their home in the area of Michelle Lane, officials said.  “Through these arrests we have removed a significant amount of narcotics from our community,” Blackstone Police Chief Gregory Gilmore said. “Our department takes our commitment to narcotics…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Quick-Thinking Blackstone Bank Tellers Catches Scammer In The Act: Police Quick-Thinking Blackstone Bank Tellers Catches Scammer In The Act: Police
Quick-Thinking Blackstone Bank Tellers Catches Scammer In The Act: Police A vigilant bank teller in Blackstone saved one customer thousands of dollars after a scammer tried to steal cash from their accounts.  Kimberly Maine, 51, of Florida was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 1, after she allegedly attempted to use fake documents to pose as a customer and withdrawal a large sum of money, Blackstone police said. She now faces more than a dozen charges.  Investigators said Maine went through the drive-thru at the UniBank For Savings at 10 Cheney St around 11 a.m. She gave the teller what appeared to be fake or stolen documents and asked to withdraw money. Emp…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Two More In Hopedale Charged In Milford Shooting Last Week: Police Two More In Hopedale Charged In Milford Shooting Last Week: Police
Two More In Hopedale Charged In Milford Shooting Last Week: Police Police arrested two men in connection with a shooting in Milford last week, authorities said.  Joseph Brigham, 25, of Hopedale, and Derek Brigham, 33, of Blackstone, face a host of charges following a Sunday, June 15 shooting, Hopedale police said.  Police responded to a home on Dutcher Street after someone called to say a man ran into their home and through the backdoor, authorities said. Investigators later linked it to a shooting outside the house.  Officers believe the Dutcher Street shooting is tied to another shooting early Sunday morning outside TD's Pub on Water Street. Officers ar…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Blackstone Man Wins $1M In State Lottery, Has Prudent Plan For The Money Blackstone Man Wins $1M In State Lottery, Has Prudent Plan For The Money
Blackstone Man Wins $1M In State Lottery, Has Prudent Plan For The Money Robert Matthews of Blackstone walked away a millionaire (before taxes) after playing the Massachusetts State Lottery recently.  Matthews won $1 million in the $4,000,000 Brilliant Titanium” instant ticket game recently after purchasing the ticket at Raynham Park.  He elected to take the lump sum, which means he'll walk away with $650,000 after taxes, the lottery confirmed. Matthews plans to play it smart and invest his winnings.  Raynham Park, located at 1958 Broadway, will get $10,000 for selling the winning ticket. 

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Central Mass Officer Accused Of Sexual Harassment Resigns: Report Central Mass Officer Accused Of Sexual Harassment Resigns: Report
Central Mass Officer Accused Of Sexual Harassment Resigns: Report A Blackstone police officer accused of sexually harassing a college student while working at a former department in 2010 has resigned, WBUR reported.  WBUR: Blackstone police officer accused of sexual harassment resigns David Laudon was one of several officers who had previously quit in disgraced or were fired by a police department but later found work at another law enforcement agency, WBUR and the Boston Globe found. A student at UMass Dartmouth accused then-officer David Laudon of grabbing her breast when he gave her a ride to her resident hall late one night, a departmental …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Central Mass Man Held On $10K Bail For Allegedly Assaulting Teenage Girl Central Mass Man Held On $10K Bail For Allegedly Assaulting Teenage Girl
Central Mass Man Held On $10K Bail For Allegedly Assaulting Teenage Girl A Blackstone man was being held on $10,000 bail after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a teenage girl last week, authorities said.  Michael Verzosa, age 34, was arrested after police responded to call about the assault on Mendon Street in Blackstone around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31, Police Chief Gregory Gilmore said. Verzosa is facing several charges including assault, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and witness intimidation, Gilmore said. He is set to be arraigned in Uxbridge District Court on Sept. 30. 

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Space Heaters May Have Caused Fatal Fire - Victim ID'd Space Heaters May Have Caused Fatal Fire - Victim ID'd
Space Heaters May Have Caused Fatal Fire - Victim ID'd Fire officials have determined the cause of a fatal fire in Blackstone, while the District Attorney has identified the victim. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, fire and law enforcement officials said the cause of the Jan. 30 fire at 16 Auclair St. in Blackstone was electrical. The fire, which engulfed a one-family home converted with an apartment on the side, was fatal for Teagan “Dave” Lafayette, 30, who lived there. Lafayette was an inspector for Tegra Medical in Franklin. He enjoyed fishing and gaming, Lafayette's obituary said. A GoFundMe campaign was started for Lafayette’s family with the goal …

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by Kristin Palpini