Two Arrested After Winter Hill Armed Home Invasion, Manhunt

Two men were arrested Monday after reports of an armed home invasion in Winter Hill and a brief manhunt in the area. The manhunt caused a lockdown at the Healey School and brought out a helicopter from the Massachusetts State Police Airwing. Police also recovered two firearms that may be connected to the incident, according to Somerville police.

The two suspects, Edward Anthony Paulino, 19, who's listed as homeless, and Derrick Steven Paul, 22, with an unconfirmed address, are also believed to be tied to a similar incident that happened earlier in the day in Medford.

Somerville police said they responded to 60 Derby St. shortly after 10:30 a.m. for a report of a breaking and entering in progress.

According to a statement from Somerville police, when officers arrived, they saw two suspects fleeing the area, and officers pursued them on foot. After a brief struggle, one suspect, Paul, was taken into custody.

In an email, Upton said one officer, whom he wouldn't name, received a minor shoulder injury during the struggle and was transported to a hospital where the officer was treated and released.

According to the statement, a detective responding to the scene spotted the second suspect, Paulino, and police pursued him into 15C Memorial Road, which is a building owned by the Somerville Housing Authority.

Somerville police, Massachusetts State Police and Medford police converged on the area and created a secure perimeter, according to the statement. The North Eastern Massachusetts Law Encorcement Council SWAT team and a state police helicopter also responded to the area, the statement says.

Paulino was believed to be armed, and during the search police put the nearby Healey School and two daycare centers under external lockdown, according to the statement. The statement says that throughout the incident the city kept residents informed using its Blackboard Connect mass notification system.

At 11:20 a.m. the city announced over Twitter, "Police searching for possibly armed suspect near Memorial Rd. Call 911 w/ info. If in area, stay indoors."

Paul Mackey, deputy director of the Somerville Housing Authority, said police chased Paulino into the building. Officers then went "door to door," evacuating apartment units one by one in the search for the suspect. He said just a "handful" of residents were affected by the search because most people weren't home at the time. "We just provided the keys where necessary," he said.

Officers found Paulino hiding in one of the apartments, the statement says. Upton said police were investigating whether the resident of the apartment was aware of the suspect's presence and whether or not the resident was involved.

Paulino was not a resident of the Somerville Housing Authority building, Mackey said. He added that police "did a wonderful job" conducting the search.

Police had Paulino in custody by 12:12 p.m., according to scanner transmissions, and at 12:16 p.m., the city of Somerville confirmed he was armed, posting on Twitter, "SUSPECT APPREHENDED w/ firearm. Healey School no longer on lock down."

Some local press reports suggested police converged on the St. Polycarp Village housing complex, which is close by. Danny LeBlanc, executive director of the Somerville Community Corporation, which owns St. Pollycarp, said, “As far as we know there was nothing [going on] on our property," although it's possible the armed suspect ran through St. Pollycarp Village on his or her way to 15C Memorial Rd. 

Medford Police Capt. Kevin Faller said there is "strong reason to believe" the two suspects were involved in a similar incident in Medford earlier Monday morning.

Faller said police were called to a residence at 10 Maverick St. in Medford for a reported armed home invasion at around 9:45 a.m. The two armed men allegedly forced their way into the home and threatened five adults who were there before leaving.

No one was injured during the incident and nothing was taken from the home, according to Faller.

Both suspects were scheduled to be arraigned in Somerville District Court Tuesday. 

According to the statement from Somerville police, Paulino is charged with armed home invasion, armed robbery, two counts of receiving stolen property (money and a firearm), carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without a license, and resisting arrest. Paul is charged with armed home invasion and resisting arrest.

Asked if drugs were involved in the Somerville incident, Upton said, "Not that I know of."