For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-743-0004
Email: john@jgpr.net

Pepperell Police Arrest Five Suspects for Overnight Home Invasion, Robbery

PEPPERELL — Chief David Scott reports that the Pepperell Police Department arrested five young men from New Hampshire early Thursday morning in connection with a home invasion and robbery at a residence.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, at approximately 2 a.m., a dispatcher received a call from a juvenile Groton Street resident who reported that several young men had just pulled him out of his home, beat and robbed him. The victim stated a baseball bat was used and a gun was shown. A description of the subjects and their vehicle was forwarded to the officers on duty.

Shortly thereafter, Officer Jared Carrubba located a vehicle matching the description on Nashua Road. Officer Carrubba pulled the vehicle over and waited for backup from Sergeant William Greathead.

Officers from the Groton Police Department were dispatched for mutual aid to respond to the scene and speak with the victim. Dunstable and Hollis, N.H. also sent police officers for assistance.

The victim informed Groton Police officers that five subjects knocked on his door and pulled him from the residence and one of the subjects brandished a firearm. The victim stated he was punched and struck with a baseball bat.

Items stolen from the victim were located in the vehicle pulled over by Officer Carrubba. All five subjects were arrested and charged with Home Invasion and Robbery:

• JOHN HIXON, AGE 18, OF NASHUA, N.H.
• MARC BERRY, AGE 21, OF NASHUA, N.H.
• KING MERCEDES, AGE 19, OF NASHUA, N.H.
• ROBERT GALLANT, AGE 18, OF NASHUA, N.H.
• JUVENILE MALE, AGE 17, OF MERRIMACK, N.H.

HIXON was additionally charged with Possession of a Class “B” Substance.

“I want to advise the residents of Pepperell that we have reason to believe the victim was known to at least one of the suspects in this case and it appears that this was not a random incident,” Chief Scott said. “I would also like to thank our neighboring police departments for once again coming to our aid. We could not have successfully completed this arrest without their help and of course, the diligent work of Pepperell Police.”

All five suspects are scheduled for arraignment later today, the four adults at Ayer District Court and the juvenile at Lowell Juvenile Court.

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