Wilmington K9 Ridic Helps Catch Break-In Suspects

By ADAM SWIFT (Patch Staff)

WILMINGTON, MA - Wilmington Police K9 Ridic helped track one of two suspects arrested by Andover Police Monday in connection with a breaking and entering incident.

The suspects are believed to be involved in several house breaks in neighboring communities, including Tewksbury, Newburyport and Ayer.

Brandon Simmons, 28, of Seabrook, NH was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A substance (heroin), possession of a burglarious instrument, operating to endanger, and a marked lanes violation.

Keith Babcock, 33, of Seabrook, NH, was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A substance (heroin) and breaking and entering during the daytime for a felony.

On Monday, Feb. 29, around 2:30 p.m., an officer on patrol on Lowell Street noticed a silver Toyota Corolla, operated by a man, drive in the middle of the road in an attempt to pass vehicles in traffic.

The officer followed the car and conducted a motor vehicle stop on Haggetts Pond Road. The driver was identified as Simmons, according to Andover Police. While on the scene, another vehicle with a man and woman inside, stopped to tell the officer they had been following the silver sedan. They had just witnessed it leaving their driveway in Tewksbury after returning home to find their residence had been burglarized.

As a result of the on scene investigation, the officer arrested Simmons.

At the same time, police received a report of a man running through backyards in the area of Bellevue Road and Osgood Street. Police, including officers from Tewksbury, were dispatched to the area, along with the Wilmington K-9 unit.

The Wilmington K-9, Ridic, tracked toward a shed on Bellevue Road and Osgood Street in Andover. Inside, police located a man, identified as Babcock, along with heroin and related paraphernalia.

“I commend the work of Andover for recognizing and responding to these two related incidents,” Chief Keefe said. “Thank you to the Wilmington K-9 unit and Tewksbury officers for assisting us in locating this suspect.”

Babcock was arrested. During booking, it was revealed that he had warrants out of Newburyport and Ayer.

“We have been actively searching for Babcock, who we can connect to at least one breaking and entering in our community, but who we believe to be involved in multiple house breaks in our city,” Newburyport City Marshal Mark Murray said. “We thank Andover Police and all those involved for apprehending this suspect so these crimes will not continue to occur in other communities.”

Andover police are currently working with six area police departments who believe Babcock and Simmons may be connected to incidents in their cities and towns.

Both suspects were held at the Andover Police Department pending their arraignment at Lawrence District Court.

Patch File Photo