News

STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara is pleased to announce that the Stoughton Police Department is launching its body-worn camera program this Sunday.

Sgt. Ryan Flanagan developed an extensive training program that covered the department’s body-worn camera policy and how to operate the cameras. All Stoughton Police officers have undergone the requisite training and will now wear the body-worn cameras while on duty, beginning Sunday, March 30. 

As part of the program, all sworn officers will be outfitted with a Getac BC-04-4K UHD Rugged Body Camera. The cameras will be attached to the officer’s uniform and will be visible to the public. 

All patrol officers, school resource officers, and the court prosecutor will wear body cameras when they are interacting with the public. Detectives and administrative staff will wear them as required by their duties that day but will have cameras available when outside the police station.

Officers will activate their body-worn cameras during routine calls for service, investigatory stops, traffic stops, foot and vehicle pursuits, emergency driving situations, situations that would gather evidence to enhance prosecution, and situations as required by the department’s policy. 

The Stoughton Police Department’s body-worn camera policy establishes guidelines for the proper use, management, storage, and retrieval of video and audio data recorded by a body-worn camera during the program. The policy was developed with input from the patrol officer and superior officers unions and contains best police practices gleaned from other Massachusetts police departments that have successfully implemented body-worn camera programs.

“Our body-worn camera program has received overwhelming support from officers at all levels of the department,” said Deputy Chief Nathan Derby.

The program’s purpose is to continue fostering trust and positive community relationships by providing greater transparency. Along with greater transparency, body cameras can promote de-escalation, resolve citizen complaints, and provide a valuable training tool.

Stoughton Police received a state grant to support the program. The department was awarded $249,425 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration as part of the Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program. The state awarded over $3 million in grant funds to 32 local police departments in July 2024 to implement or expand body-worn camera programs across Massachusetts.

“The implementation of body-worn cameras is a significant step forward in our commitment to transparency, accountability, and community trust,” Chief McNamara said. “These cameras will enhance officer safety, provide an objective record of interactions, and help strengthen the relationship between our officers and the community we serve.”

President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing placed a priority on body camera research and camera programs. More recently, a 2020 study of the Boston Police body-worn camera program showed a 63.6% reduction in use of force reports and a 50.5% reduction in citizen complaints for officers wearing body-worn cameras compared to the 12 months before implementing their program. 

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STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara reports that the Stoughton Police Department has returned a suspect to Massachusetts to face charges in a 2019 house break-in and assault on an elderly woman.

A relentless investigation by Stoughton Police Sgt. Robert Kuhn, a detective at the time of the incident, ensures that STANLEY MITCHELL, 34, of NEWTON, NEW JERSEY, will answer to charges of:

Entering a Dwelling by False Pretenses with the Intent to Commit a Felony

Larceny Over $1,200

Conspiracy

Witness Intimidation

Vandalizing Property

MITCHELL was arrested by Stoughton Police on Thursday, March 20, at the Broome County Correctional Facility in Binghamton, New York, on two fugitive from justice warrants related to an incident that occurred in Stoughton on Feb. 2, 2019.

MITCHELL, who failed to appear in court for a pre-trial conference in August 2024, prompting a default warrant to issue, had been on the run. He waived his extradition to return to Massachusetts.

Stoughton Police Detective Daniel Barber worked extensively with the Broome County District Attorney’s Office to arrange MITCHELL’s extradition. On March 20, Stoughton Police Officers John Lydstone and Joe DeSousa traveled to New York to bring MITCHELL back to Massachusetts.

MITCHELL, who had been indicted by a grand jury related to the incident, appeared in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham on Friday, March 21, and his bail was set at $35,000.

On Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at approximately 1:20 p.m., Stoughton Police responded to a house break-in on Halliden Place. The investigation revealed that a man posing as a utility worker forcibly entered the home, pushed the 82-year-old resident, stole about $4,000 in valuables, and fled.

Sgt. Kuhn’s extensive investigation, which included reviewing surveillance video, subpoenaing records, and working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, led him to identify MITCHELL as the suspect.

In 2019, Sgt. Kuhn also traveled to Florida to return a co-conspirator who was charged in connection with the incident and released to Stoughton Police’s custody.

“I want to commend Sgt. Kuhn for his tenacious and tireless efforts for six years to pursue justice for the victim and her family,” Chief McNamara said. “His dedication was instrumental in identifying and apprehending the suspect. This is a powerful example of the determination and commitment that define the men and women of the Stoughton Police Department.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Are you interested in becoming a Stoughton Police Officer? The Stoughton Police Department, through Hanrahan Consulting LLC, is holding an entrance examination at 9 a.m. on April 26. Candidates must register no later than 4 p.m. on April 20.

Candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of the appointment and meet the minimum qualifications to be a police officer.

To sign up for the entrance exam, visit StoughtonPolice.com.

STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara reports that the Stoughton Police Department arrested a man wanted on multiple warrants following an extensive investigation into an armed carjacking.

AGYEMAN KUSI, AGE 21, of STOUGHTON, was arrested Wednesday and charged with:

Armed Carjacking

Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Two Counts)

Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle

Failure to Stop for Police

In early December, Stoughton Police Detectives opened an investigation in an attempt to arrest KUSI, who was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, including for charges of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Armed Robbery with a Firearm, Attempted Assault and Battery with a Firearm, Carrying a Firearm without a License, and motor vehicle offenses.

On Jan. 8, Detective Sgt. Michael Medina and Officer Colby Gallagher stopped a vehicle in which KUSI was a passenger.

The driver and front-seat passenger complied with a lawful order to exit the vehicle. KUSI climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away. KUSI led police on a short pursuit into Randolph, where he began to operate in a reckless manner, reaching speeds of 100 mph and driving on the wrong side of the road. Detective Sgt. Medina terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns.

During an initial investigation, police learned KUSI had pointed a firearm at the driver and ordered them to exit when officers stopped the vehicle.

A short time later, a Randolph Police officer witnessed KUSI’s vehicle collide with another vehicle in front of the Randolph Fire Department Station 2 on North Main Street in North Randolph. KUSI ran from the scene.

Stoughton Police, Randolph Police, and Massachusetts State Police searched the area for the seven hours but could not locate KUSI.

On Jan. 13, Detective Sgt. Medina contacted the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) to request its assistance. 

During this time period, an additional warrant was issued for KUSI for an incident involving a firearm in Canton.

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, members of VFAS, the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Services Fugitive Task Force, and Stoughton Police Detectives responded to an address on Paisley Street in Pawtucket, R.I., and arrested KUSI after he attempted to flee again.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Detective Sgt. Medina and Officer Gallagher took KUSI into custody at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections facility in Cranston, R.I., and returned him to Stoughton for booking.

KUSI was arraigned Wednesday in Stoughton District Court. He was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Monday, March 3.

“The Stoughton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section worked tirelessly over the last two months on this case,” Chief McNamara said. “Our Detectives, led by Detective Sgt. Michael Medina, were committed to ensuring this dangerous individual was taken into custody. We would like to thank all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners who assisted along the way.”

Chief McNamara also wishes to thank the Randolph Police Department for its assistance during its initial response, and the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force for its guidance and professionalism.

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National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, celebrated on Feb. 15, recognizes the school resource officers (SROs) who keep schools safe. It is a time for students and school community members to show appreciation for their SROs and all the work they do to bridge the gap between law enforcement and youth.

We would like to recognize our SRO, Officer Lindsay Bonda, for her commitment to serving the students of Stoughton for the last eight years!

BEWARE OF ICE! During the winter months, it can be tempting to venture out onto frozen waterways, but we urge caution and remind residents that no ice is 100% safe ice. You should always consider ice potentially dangerous, as it’s impossible to judge ice conditions by appearance or thickness alone. Many factors, including water depth, the size of the body of water, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, age of ice, and local weather conditions, will impact ice strength. 

One significant risk factor associated with winter ice activities is falling through the ice, which can lead to fatal and non-fatal winter drownings.

If you see someone in danger, remember the phrase “Preach-Reach-Throw-Go.”

📢 Preach: If possible, call 911 and let the victim know help is on the way. Reassure the victim and keep them calm.

🫴 Reach: If it is safe to reach the victim from shore, extend a sturdy object for the victim to grab.

🛟 Throw: If it is safe to do so, toss the end of a rope or a flotation device to the victim.

🚑 Go: If a situation becomes too dangerous, go find help. Untrained rescuers can often become victims.

Avoid walking or driving on ice-bound bodies of water — ice thickness can be deceiving. Stay safe!

STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara reports that the Stoughton Police Department responded to a double stabbing that occurred Sunday night.

On Sunday, Jan. 12, at approximately 8 p.m., Stoughton Police responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance on Page Terrace.

On arrival, officers located two adult victims who suffered stab wounds.

One victim was flown by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital, and the second victim was transported by ambulance to a Boston hospital, both to be treated for injuries that are considered serious.

One person is in custody, and police are not seeking any additional suspects at this time.

Through their preliminary investigation, the Stoughton Police Department has determined that the stabbing was not a random act and that there is no danger to the general public.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Any further media inquiries into this matter should be referred to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.

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STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara is proud to recognize Stoughton Police Officer Jennifer Sullivan’s efforts during a recent fraud investigation involving nearly $65,000 in stolen funds, which resulted in the arrest of a Brockton man.

ANDY EDWARD ROBINSON, 27, of BROCKTON, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of Larceny Over $1,200.

On Friday, Oct. 25, Officer Sullivan responded to the Panera Bread in Stoughton to take a fraud report after the company flagged suspicious transactions involving large sums of money over an extended period of time. The company determined that someone with access to the business’ third-party delivery service system carried out an alleged fraud scheme.

Through Officer Sullivan’s investigative efforts, she identified the suspect as ROBINSON, a former assistant manager of the Stoughton Panera Bread. Officer Sullivan determined that ROBINSON still had access to the business’ third-party delivery service account. He placed the orders and used the system to complete over 700 fraudulent transactions and manipulated the delivery service’s tipping system, which resulted in him allegedly stealing $64,547 between March and October 2024.

ROBINSON was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and arraigned in Stoughton District Court.

Officer Sullivan, a Marine Corps veteran, has been with the Stoughton Police Department for 18 years. She is currently assigned to the day shift.

“Officer Jennifer Sullivan’s work on this investigation is a testament to the dedication of our Stoughton Police Department officers,” Chief McNamara said. “Officer Sullivan took the initial fraud report for this case and stayed on it until the end. Her determination to get to the bottom of this fraudulent activity ultimately resulted in the suspect’s arrest.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD), which is celebrated annually on Jan. 9.

It is a day for people to show their support for law enforcement officers nationwide. We would like to thank our community for supporting the Stoughton Police Department. Throughout the year, many residents show appreciation for our officers by bringing food and other gifts to the station. Other times, it’s a simple thank you to an officer working a detail or a handwritten letter from a family member after a police response to their house.

Today, we would like to recognize the police officers who chose this difficult career and serve our residents admirably while thanking you — our community — for your support.