Massachusetts

Melrose Man Wanted for Attempted Murder of Mom, Sister Captured

Police have captured the man suspected of attempting to murder his mother and sister during a home invasion in Melrose, Massachusetts, on Friday night.

John C. Ferreira, 54, of Melrose, was wanted for assault with intent to murder in the wake of the attack on Vinton Street. He was apprehended Tuesday in Westborough and is being held by police pending arraignment on Wednesday morning in Malden District Court.

He now faces two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of kidnapping with serious bodily injury and single counts of armed assault to rob, home invasion, larceny of a motor vehicle, attempted murder and mayhem. He also had six outstanding motor vehicle default warrants.

Ferreira was taken into custody without incident after a police officer saw a red Toyota driving on an abandoned road in Westborough around 12:17 p.m. A check of the license plates revealed that the vehicle had been stolen during Friday's home invasion.

Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon told NBC Boston that Ferreira looked disheveled and confused when he was apprehended. He had a dog with him and asked police about his sister.

"It looks like he'd been living in the car for a while," Gordon said. "He looked tired. No fight at all. He basically gave himself up and admitted who he was."

Police said Ferreira allegedly used a hammer or mallet in Friday's attacks and that he was apparently in the house when the women came home. He also tied one of the women to a chair with wire ties and duct tape. One victim's face was injured badly and both had marks on their arms and legs.

One victim apparently escaped from the home and flagged down police while walking along the road. Police were called when a neighbor spotted the woman outside, bleeding.

Both women were hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The motive for the attack is still unclear. 

It wasn't immediately known if Ferreira  has been assigned a public defender.

Contact Us