ERO Boston officers give an assist to local police department
Four U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducting routine target surveillance in Chelsea, Massachusetts, had a surprise opportunity to protect the streets of the Boston suburb with professional law enforcement skills.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston officers heard a call over a scanner from the Chelsea Police dispatcher regarding an armed robbery that had just taken place near Central Avenue May 11 at approximately 5:20 p.m. Moments after hearing the call, ERO Officer Ian Kerns noticed a male matching the description of the armed robber walking calmly down the street.
He did not hesitate to take immediate action.
Kerns radioed for assistance and followed the subject briefly before pulling his government vehicle up on the curb, activating his emergency lights and sirens, drawing his weapon and identifying himself as a police officer. He kept the subject in a disadvantaged position for a brief period until ERO Officers David Jackson, Robert Piepiora and Chris Semler arrived.
Together they handcuffed and arrested the subject.
On his person, the subject had the knife used in the robbery and a controlled substance. The Chelsea Police arrived moments later and took custody of the subject. The arrest was made without incident or injury. The criminal charges of armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon were later made against the subject.
The team of ERO officers reacted quickly and professionally in a dangerous situation. ERO Boston Supervisory Detention and Deportation (SDDO) Officer Mark Anzelmo remarked that ICE made a direct contribution to community safety of Chelsea.
“The officers showed great poise and courage in an intense situation. They acted swiftly when they stopped the threat and made the community safer as a result.”
Jackson, Kerns, Piepiora and Semler received a nomination for the Secretary's Unity of Effort Team Award due to their courageous acts in response to a violent crime.
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