Operation Golden Ticket, Murder Charges, Dog Death: MA Crime

MASSACHUSETTS—Massachusetts State Police say more than 50 law enforcement agencies participated in a six-month investigation called Operation Golden Ticket that resulted in a 171-count indictment against five defendants. The five defendants are facing a length list of charges, including breaking and entering, larceny, conspiracy, and receiving stolen motor vehicles. The five people from Lawrence allegedly committed crimes in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Read more.

A Peabody man pleaded not guilty in Malden District Court Tuesday to one count of animal cruelty. Steven Severino, 31, of Peabody, was arrested by Everett Police Monday after neighbors reported hearing what sounded like a dog yelp and an animal being thrown against a structure. Police said the dog died after suffering a broken jaw and other injuries. Read more.

A Framingham man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of another Framingham man. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham Acting Chief of Police Steven Trask announced that Jeremy Rodriguez, 23, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Middlesex Superior Court to second-degree murder in connection with the 2013 shooting death of Juan Lopez, 21. Read more.

Here are more of the top crime stories from across the Massachusetts Patch network this week. Individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent.

Tewksbury Police Ask For Help In Finding Man Missing Since July

Tewksbury Police issued a news release Wednesday asking for the public's help in finding 33-year-old Keith Harding, who was last seen by family and friends on July 18.

Man Gets Two Years In Prison After Guilty Plea In Beverly Case

A Lynn man who was arrested at a Beverly Housing Complex in June was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of disturbing the peace Tuesday. Prosecutors dropped most of the charges against Carlos Figueroa, 28, of Lynn, including domestic assault and battery, witness intimidation and resisting arrest.

Man Charged In Big North Andover Drug Bust Facing Life In Prison

Investigators believe Daniel Hernandez Ixta, 37, of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, was working as a courier for a drug dealer.

Man Spits On, Assaults Older Guy On Red Line: Transit Police

Police said they charged Wayne Wallace with punching an older man several times and then spitting on him.

Mass. Man Gets 20 Years For Planning ISIS-Inspired Attack

Several partly constructed “Molotov cocktails” were found in his apartment after he was arrested.

Arrest Made In Deaths Of 3 Children, Woman In West Brookfield

Police in March came upon a "disturbing scene" that included four bodies with burns.

Worcester Man Charged With Driving Car At Firefighters

He stepped on the gas and drove right at them, said police.

8 Men Arrested In Downtown Prostitution Sweep: WPD

Worcester police conducted an undercover sting operation in the Main Street area.

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