For Immediate Release

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Andover Police Arrest Man after Attempted ATM Theft

ANDOVER — Chief Patrick Keefe reports that the Andover Police Department arrested a man after an attempted break-in of an ATM machine.

As a result of the report of a diligent resident and a rapid police response, with K-9 assistance from several agencies, JUAN ANTONETTY MEJIAS, AGE 19, OF LOWELL was arrested and charged with:

• Breaking and Entering with the Intent to Commit a Felony
• Malicious Destruction of Property

Andover Police received a 911 call from a resident at 9 a.m. Sunday and received a report of a man trying to smash the Bank of America ATM located at a store at 429 Lowell St. The caller gave police a good description of the suspect and his direction of flight.

Officers responded immediately and found the ATM with significant damage, consistent with someone trying to tear the face of the machine off and break into it for the money inside.

Several area departments responded to provide mutual aid, including K-9 units from the Tewksbury and North Andover Police Departments as well as the Massachusetts State Police.

The suspect was observed running through a driveway and backyard of a residence on Lowell Street, and police gave pursuit on foot.

After evading police for a short time, officers located and arrested MEJIAS without further incident.

MEJIAS is being held pending arraignment Monday at Lawrence District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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