Holyoke Police Department

Today at City Hall, Chief Pratt and Mayor Garcia promoted Officer Michael Whelihan to the rank of Sergeant. Congratulations Sergeant Whelihan well deserved.

Chief Pratt would like to thank all the sponsors that made this years Senior Citizen Christmas Party a huge success. Thank You Ray of Elvis for putting on a sensational Christmas show you never disappoint. The Holyoke Police Department would also like to thank Kate McCoy for her time and dedication over the last 22 years making sure the Senior Citizen Christmas party is what it is today.

If anyone is missing or knows the owner of this pup please contact TJ Oconnor. She was found up by Scott’s tower with no tag or collar.

The Holiday Season is upon us and more packages are being delivered to your homes. Here are some tips to prevent package theft from happening to you. Remember if you See Something Say Something

Support small business

The Holyoke Police Department is again helping Santa deliver gifts on Christmas Day. Please bring your donation of an unwrapped toy to the Holyoke Police Department before December 25th. You can also contact Detective Brach at 413-322-6950 to make arrangements. Thank You and have a happy and safe holiday season.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday!!

Route 141 Easthampton Road is temporarily closed due to accidents on the mountain. The road is closed from Southampton Road to the Easthampton line. Please seek an alternate route.

6th Annual Holyoke Fire Department 2023.
Saturday, December 2, 2023.
You are cordially invited to join area Fire Departments along with Commercial Vehicles all decorated to help light up our Holiday Season Participants will be competing for Best Decorated Vehicle!
Prizes will also be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place as well as Oldest and Farthest Vehicle.
Parade Route: All vehicles will line up at the Holyoke High School parking lot (back
entrance to Roberts Field). Vehicles can begin to line up at 4:00 pm. Vehicles will
depart parking lot at 5:30 pm. The parade will proceed from the Holyoke High School
parking lot, traveling down Beech Street, right onto Hampshire Street, left onto High
Street ending at City Hall for the lighting of the Christmas Tree.

Please contact Larry Jackson (413-330-1319) for more details/information.
R.S.V.P. by November 17, 2023 with the number of vehicles and participants.
We are asking each Vehicle to donate a toy item to the Holyoke Police Department to be distributed on Christmas Day.

The Holyoke Police Department would like to congratulate Detective Liam Glasheen who was honored today at the War Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony as Public Safety Officer of the Year. Congratulations to all the award recipients and Thank You to all our Veterans.

We honor and show gratitude to all military veterans who have served in the armed forces. Remember to thank those who have sacrificed and fought for this country.

Thank you to all who served !

Today Chief Pratt, Mayor Garcia and Clerk Brenna Murphy-Mcgee swore in two new full time Officers at City Hall. We would like to welcome Officer Justice Gonzalez and Officer Nigel Astwood. Congratulations!!

On 11/08/23 The Holyoke Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Massachusetts State Police
Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, along with the United States Marshal’s Service, executed an
arrest warrant for a subject wanted for a Default Warrant related to violations of MGL Chapter 94C, the
Controlled Substance Act.
During the course of the arrest, investigators developed probable cause that there was a firearm and
narcotics located at 814 Dwight Street. Investigators applied for, and were granted, a Holyoke District
Court Search Warrant for 814 Dwight Street. A search of that location resulted in the seizure of a large
quantities of Fentanyl/Heroin, Oxycodone, co***ne and ma*****na, as well as large quantities of United
States Currency, a Semi-automatic pistol and ammunition.
OMAR CONCEPCION – date of birth: 10/12/2000 was charged with the following offenses:
Warrant – Default
Disorderly Conduct
Resisting Arrest
Trafficking Class A – Fentanyl/Heroin - 36 to 100 grams
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B – Co***ne Subsequent Offense
Possession of Class D Substance – Ma*****na
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class D – Ma*****na
Possession of Firearm without FID Card – Subsequent Offense
Possession of Firearm during Commission of a Felony
Possession of Ammunition
Possession of Large Capacity Firearm
Improper Storage of a Firearm
Receiving Stolen Property
The Massachusetts State Police VFAS Unit, Holyoke Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau
and U.S. Marshal’s Service executed several other arrest warrants for fugitives in Holyoke

On November 8, 2023, as part of the Holyoke Police Department’s “Operation Safe Streets” Initiative,

The Holyoke Police Department Narcotics/Vice Unit and FBI Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force,
along with the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, HSI,and ATF
executed a Holyoke District Court Search Warrant at 174 High Street Apt. 311.
The search warrant service was the culmination of a month-long investigation initiated in response to
information provided to police by area businesses regarding the open-air drug distribution of narcotics in
the area of High and Suffolk Streets, activity which was having a disparate impact on those businesses
and community members visiting those establishments.
The investigation identified 174 High Street, Apt. 311 as a point of manufacture, storage and distribution
of narcotics. The search of the location resulted in the seizure of large quantities of Fentanyl, co***ne,
United States Currency, and a semi-automatic pistol. The following individuals were arrested and
charged with the following offenses:
ALEXANDER RAMOS, - date of birth: 12/29/1998
Trafficking Class A – Fentanyl 10+ grams
Trafficking Class B – Co***ne 36 to 100 grams
Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony
Improper Storage of a Firearm
Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
Possession of Ammunition without FID Card
Resisting Arrest
JOSE MARCANO - date of birth: 1/9/1965
Trafficking Class A – Fentanyl 10+ grams
Trafficking Class B – Co***ne 36 to 100 grams
Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony
Improper Storage of a Firearm
Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
Possession of Ammunition without FID Card
Resisting Arrest
EMMANUEL RIVERA - date of birth: 5/28/1988
Possession of Class A – Fentanyl/Heroin
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A – Fentanyl/Heroin
Possession of Class B – Co***ne
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B – Co***ne
Possession of Ammunition without FID Card
Resisting Arrest
BEATRIZ M. SANTIAGO - date of birth: 4/20/1994
Possession of Class A – Fentanyl/Heroin
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A – Fentanyl/Heroin
Possession of Class B – Co***ne
Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B – Co***ne
Possession of Ammunition without FID Card
RAMOS was arrested in this investigation while on bail for two separate violations of the Controlled
Substance Act.

On 11/08/23 The Holyoke Police Department in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police – (VFAS - West, Gang Unit - West, CINRET -West, Community
Action Team – B Troop, District Attorney Anthony Gullini’s Hampden County Narcotics Task Force,
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section - West, K-9 Unit), Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, FBI
Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, Bureau of
Alcohol To***co and Fi****ms Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States
Marshal’s Service conducted Operation Safe Streets 2.

Operation Safe Streets 2 included the ex*****on of three search warrants, motor vehicle stops, and high visibility patrols which netted the seizure of more than
1) $20,000 in cash
2) 2 Illegal fi****ms including a ghost gun.
3) 67 rounds of ammunition
4) Over 3,400 bags of he**in with a street value of $11,000
5) Over 110 Grams of Co***ne with a street value of $6,500
6) 190 Traffic stops
7) 46 Arrest
8) 26 Criminal summons
In total Operation Safe Streets has in total
1) 97 Arrest
2) 3 fi****ms
3) 55 criminal summonses
4) 475 Traffic stops
5) 71 outreach attempts by HPD/CHD staff regarding services for crisis intervention, mental health & substance abuse recovery.

The City of Holyoke, the residents, business owners, visitors, and key stakeholders deserve a safe and prosperous environment to live, shop, and explore without any feeling of trepidation. Your Holyoke Police Department is proud to work hand in hand with the citizens of this city to prevent and suppress crime and work towards a safe and positive living environment for all.

SEE SOMETHING,HEAR SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!!

Chief Pratt will be hosting the Holyoke Police Department's 22nd Annual Senior Citizen Christmas Party. Save the Date!!

**​TRAFFIC ALERT** THIS Wednesday 11/8 and Thursday 11/9 between the hours of 9am to 3pm Easthampton DPW will CLOSE Rte. 141 - Mountain Road. DPW crews will be mowing and cleaning drainage structures each day during this time period. The road will be closed to ALL traffic. Please plan accordingly and seek an alternate route.

City of Easthampton
WWLP-22News
Reminder Publishing
Daily Hampshire Gazette
MassLive
Western Mass News
Easthampton 01027 The Good News Page
Mountain Road Easthampton Rt 141

The Holyoke Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying this individual who was involved in the fraudulent use of a credit card (Case # 23-6011-OF). Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau or Text-A-Tip (Text SOLVE plus message to 274637 on your cell phone). If you wish to remain anonymous you may.

Dwight Street from Northampton Street to Pleasant Street is down to one lane. Crews are milling the road in preparation for paving. Expect Delays !! Please avoid the area if possible.

Don't forget to set your clocks back and change your batteries in your smoke alarms.

On 10/26/2023 at approximately 22:00 Hrs. officers were flagged down by a concerned citizen that a female had been stabbed in the alley on Sargeant St. Officers located a female victim with multiple stab wounds to the head and body on Sargeant St. Officers immediately began rendering medical aid awaiting the ambulance. The victim was transported to Baystate Medical Center with serious injuries. At this time Detectives began gathering information on the possible suspect. Through the investigation Detectives were able to identify the suspect as being 31 Yr. Old Francheska Vazquez of Holyoke. A warrant was sought for her arrest for Assault and battery Dangerous Weapon Serious Bodily Injury, Assault to Murder, Assault with Dangerous weapon (to wit Firearm), and Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapon (Knife). On 11/01/2023 Mass State Police took Francheska Vazquez into custody on the Holyoke District Court Warrant.

Our officers participating in this years Holyoke Community College Trunk or Treat. What a crowd!! Happy Halloween and be safe.

The Holyoke Police Department is again participating in the National DEA TAKEBACK program. Please bring your unused, unwanted and expired prescriptions to the Holyoke Police Department located at 138 Appleton St between the hours of 10AM and 2PM on Saturday October 28th.

El Departamento de Policía de Holyoke participa nuevamente en el programa Nacional DEA TAKEBACK. Lleve sus recetas no utilizadas, no deseadas y vencidas al Departamento de Policía de Holyoke ubicado en 138 Appleton St entre las 10 a. m. y las 2 p. m. del sábado 28 de octubre.

On 10/17/23 at approximately 11:15PM officers responded to a shot spotter activation in the area of 364 Maple Street. Officers located one shell casing and an apartment window that had been struck. This investigation is still open and anyone with information is asked to call 413-322-6900 or Text a Tip.
Approximately 45 minutes later,just past midnight on 10/18/23, officers were alerted to a second shot spotter activation in the area of 110 Hampshire Street. No calls were received for the shot spotter activation. Officers again located one shell casing. Due to the shot spotter activation officers were able to respond quickly to the area and after a short investigation was conducted, officers were able to obtain a description of the suspect and suspects vehicle that left the scene. Officers later located the suspect vehicle on High Street and a firearm was recovered. The suspect, 32yr old Yaritza Martinez, was placed under arrest and charged with the following charges.

FIREARM, DISCHARGE WITHIN 500 FT OF BLDG
FIREARM WITHOUT FID CARD,
POSSESS AMMUNITION WITHOUT FID CARD
ASSAULT WEAPON, UNLICENSED SELL/POSSESS
CARRY LOADED FIREARM LARGE CAPACITY

Today Chief Pratt and Mayor Joshua Garcia had the pleasure of appointing Lt Michael McMahon to provisional Captain. Congratulations Captain McMahon.

Today at approximately 2:15 PM Holyoke Police Officers responded to the area of 475 Maple St for a Shot Spotter activation. Officers checked the area for victims and any property damage. At this time no victims or damage were reported.Officer located 4 spent shell casings on the corner across the street from 475 Maple St. The incident is still under investigation and Detectives are asking if anyone has information to please call 413-322-6900 or you can Text a Tip "Crimes" 274637 Type Solve then your message.

On 10/11/23 during Operation Safe Streets, the Holyoke Police Narcotics bureau along with Western Mass FBI Gang Task Force, Hampden County Sherriff’s, DEA, HSI, ATF, Mass State Police Gang Unit, executed a search warrant at 149 Ess*x Street 2L. During the search warrant two individuals were arrested outside and two individuals were arrested inside for narcotics related offenses. Officers that entered the apartment encountered several children. Officers involved in the entry were exposed to horrific living conditions. Due to these conditions the board of health was summoned to the apartment which they immediately deemed uninhabitable. Department of Children and Families were called, and the children were removed from the apartment pending an investigation. The following were taken into custody from apartment 2L.

Israel Jimenez DOB 03/12/99
Possession of Class B
Parole Warrant
Three counts of Reckless Endangerment of a Child

Jeidy Cruz-Carrasquillo DOB 12/03/98
Possession Class B
Three counts of Reckless Endangerment of a Child

Aleq Rodriguez held without the right to bail in Holyoke homicide investigation
Aleq Rodriguez, 22, of Holyoke was arraigned today in Holyoke District Court on a charge of murder in connection with the homicide of Edgar Soto-Irizarry on June 23, 2023. He was apprehended on Thursday, September 21, 2023, by members of the United States Marshals Service in Puerto Rico.
He is currently being held without the right to bail while having his bail revoked in an open fi****ms case out of Holyoke. His next scheduled court date is on November 9, 2023.
During the course of the investigation investigators developed probable cause leading to an arrest warrant and charging Aleq Rodriguez with Murder.
Once they confirmed the identity of their suspect, investigators learned he had flown to Puerto Rico in the days after the homicide. Upon learning this, the Mass State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and Holyoke Police Department began working with authorities in Puerto Rico to locate Aleq Rodriguez leading to yesterday’s arrest.
The victim has been identified previously identified as Mr. Edgar Soto-Irizarry, 30, of Holyoke.
On Friday, June 22, 2023, at 9:20 a.m., the Holyoke Police Department received a 9-1-1 call for a reported shooting victim in the 300 block of Appleton Street.
Officers arrived a short time later and located Mr. Soto-Irizarry suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services were performed but were unsuccessful as he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
This incident remains under investigation by the Holyoke Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office’s Murder Unit.

On Wednesday October 11th, Members of the law enforcement community met in Holyoke to execute operation safe streets. This was in response to the tragic events of one week ago. As officers fanned out across the city, their mission was multi-faceted. They were tasked with restoring order, safety and tranquility to a wounded community, as well as offering hope through services for those with substance problems and clinical intervention for people suffering with mental health issues.
Holyoke would like to thank all of our partners for their participation and generosity. These partners include Holyoke Police Patrol Division and specialty units, Department of Justice, Massachusetts State Police, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s Office, FBI WMass GTF, DEA, ATF, HSI, Divisions within the Massachusetts State Police, Divisions within the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and the HCNTF and Safe Units assigned to the District Attorney's Office.
The Holyoke Police Department hopes to employ future Safe Streets Operations with the continued cooperation and support from Mayor Garcia and the City Council. These initiatives in the future will be directed toward curbing violence as well as helping those in need.

During the course of Operation Safe Streets #1, the Holyoke Police Department along with their partners produced the following results:

51 arrests processed at Holyoke Police Department and Mass State Police Barracks

285 motor vehicle stops

130 motor vehicle citations

126 motor vehicle verbal warnings

29 Criminal Summons

57 property checks

53 street stops

Illegal firearm & ammunition recovered

71 - outreach attempts completed by HPD / CHD staff regarding services for crisis intervention, mental health, & substance abuse recovery.

Center for Human Development clinicians along with a HPD detective responded to 4 separate 911 calls regarding an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. These individuals were contacted, supported & provided on scene mental health assistance, & guided to additional resources for continued treatment.

Multiple arrest made for
⁃ Outstanding warrants
⁃ Firearm related offenses
⁃ Narcotics trafficking
⁃ Narcotics distribution
⁃ Narcotics possession
⁃ Drug violation near School/park
⁃ Reckless endangerment of a child
⁃ Stolen motor vehicle
⁃ Assault and battery on a police officer

Kermith Alvarez wanted in fatal Holyoke shooting

October 11, 2023 -Holyoke- The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Holyoke Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section is actively pursuing Kermith Alvarez, 28, of Holyoke. Alvarez is the third suspect being sought in connection with last week’s shooting on Sargeant Street in Holyoke which claimed the life of an infant.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kermith Alvarez you are asked to contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit at (413) 505-5993 or the Massachusetts State Police: Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873). ALVAREZ is actively avoiding law enforcement, the firearm used in this incident has not been recovered, and he should be considered armed and Dangerous.

On October 6, 2023 Johnluis Sanchez, 30, of Holyoke, was arraigned by Zoom in Holyoke District Court for is suspected involvement in the October 4, 2023 shooting. His bail was revoked on an open fi****ms case out of Holyoke District Court, and held without the right to bail on a charge of murder for his suspected involvement in this case, other charges are expected to follow. His next scheduled court date is on November 3, 2023.

On October 5, 2023, Alejandro Ramos, 22, of Holyoke, was arraigned on a charge of murder in Holyoke District Court for is suspected involvement in the shooting. He is being held without the right to bail, with his next scheduled court date on November 3, 2023.

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 12:38 p.m. members of the Holyoke Police Department responded to a reported shooting in the 100 block of Sargeant Street.

It appears three male suspects were involved in an altercation, during which a shooting occurred. It is believed one of the rounds from that altercation struck a public transportation bus and an uninvolved female occupant, who was seated in the bus.

This victim, who was pregnant, was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The infant, who was delivered, and needed life-saving medical services, tragically passed away.

All involved suspects are believed to have been identified. The one remaining suspect, is being actively sought by law enforcement.

This incident is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and the Holyoke Police Department.

Keep an eye out tonight for our officers walking the beat and patrolling on bikes. #