Armed Man Making Threats Steals Van, is Chased by Police from Norwood to Boston

A man suspected of threatening his roommate with a firearm at a hotel in Norwood, evaded a police perimeter, stole a van, and led police on a vehicle chase through Norwood, Westwood, and Dedham until he was stopped by Boston Police and Massachusetts State Police in Boston on Tuesday, March 14th.

Westwood Minute contacted Norwood Police regarding this story, and was directed to a statement that Norwood Police Chief William Brooks made that was aired on Norwood Community Media, in which Chief Brooks provided the following information:

• Shortly after 9:00 a.m. on March 14th, Norwood Police received a call from a guest of the Courtyard Marriott that is located on Route 1 in Norwood. The caller told police that a man with a firearm was threatening him. Norwood Police arrived at the scene and found the caller, Mr. Jimenez, on the third floor, avoiding the armed subject.

• Norwood Police set up a perimeter around the building and emptied the rooms of hotel guests.

• Norwood Police attempted to contact the subject by calling the room and knocking on the door. After receiving no answer, Norwood Police used a pass code to enter. There was no one in the room, but cocaine was in plain sight. A Smith & Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic firearm was found.

• Around this time, Norwood Police received a report of a stolen van, with the words, “Budget Drain” on it. It had been taken from the quiet Norwood neighborhood of Sunnyside Road, about one mile from the Courtyard Marriott.

• With the help of the company that owns the van, Norwood Police found the van’s location via GPS. Norwood Police pursued the van north on Route 1A to the Westwood line, and then into Islington, near Roche Brothers. There, the Norwood Police terminated their chase due to public safety concerns.

Westwood Police Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy informed Westwood Minute that around 11:48 a.m., a Westwood Police cruiser in the vicinity of Washington and Clapboardtree streets continued the car chase on Washington Street, at speeds over 45 m.p.h., to the Dedham town line. At that point, Dedham Police took over the chase, says. Lt. Sheehy.

In his remarks, Chief Brooks described how the vehicle pursuit continued on VFW Parkway, Jamaica Way, and River Way to Brookline Avenue near Fenway Park in Boston. There, Boston Police and Massachusetts State Police were able to stop the vehicle, with Norwood Police also arriving on the scene.

State Police made the arrest.  Lt. Sheehy told Westwood Minute that around 2:40 p.m., Westwood Police were notified of the end of the chase.

Chief Brooks also reported that:

- The suspect apprehended in the car chase, Jason Devoe of Florida, was the same individual who had made threats with a gun at the Courtyard Marriott. 

- State Police booked Mr. Devoe on receiving a stolen motor vehicle. He was also charged with negligent operation and failure to stop for an officer. He was held on $10,000 bail. 

- Mr. Jimenez, who made the original call to Norwood Police, was held on $10,000 bail by Norwood Police for charges related to the cocaine that was found in the hotel room he shared with Mr. Devoe.

Thanks to Norwood Police and Westwood Police for sharing news for this article.

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