PEPPERELL — On Friday, September 13, 2024, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Sergeant Neil Maskalenko and Officer Stephen Mulkerin of the Pepperell Police Department were dispatched to an apartment on Maple Street following a report of a physical altercation between a father and son.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Mulkerin and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“The reporting party, Rick Pageau, advised dispatch that his son, Derek Pageau, had struck him with a bat though Derek didn’t hit him hard,” Officer Mulkerin said. “Upon arrival, Derek came outside to speak with me. Sgt. Maskalenko went inside to speak with Rick. Derek stated that he couldn’t find his cigarettes and was upset. Derek stated that he went outside earlier tonight and when he came back in an argument began with Rick.”
According to police, Derek G. Pageau, 32, is a resident of 18 Maple Street, Apt. [the same apartment as his father], Pepperell, MA. He’s unmarried and unemployed.
Officer Mulkerin asked Derek whether the argument was physical or verbal, to which Derek replied it was verbal. When the officer followed up by asking if he had struck his father with a baseball bat, Derek denied doing so.
“I am familiar with Derek and we are aware that Derek has mental health issues,” Officer Mulkerin said. “While I spoke with Derek, he was rambling incoherently about things like ‘respawing’ and kept showing me his birth stone.”
At this time, Sgt. Maskalenko came outside and advised Derek that he was being placed under arrest. Derek was then handcuffed by Sgt. Maskalenko.
Officer Mulkerin reported that Rick stated Derek had returned home after being away for some time that night and began speaking incoherently about Egypt and mythical creatures.
“Rick stated he tried to defuse Derek and jokingly said that he was ‘Thor’ and Derek became very upset by this and grabbed the bat,” Officer Mulkerin said. “Rick stated that Derek made a half swing/bunting type motion with a black and yellow bat and struck Rick on the left arm. Rick stated he wasn’t hit hard and he wasn’t injured.”
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The officers advised Rick of his right to get a 209a Abuse Prevention Order, but he declined.
Police transported Derek to the Pepperell Police Station where he was booked on one count of Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.
Officer Mulkerin said that Derek was bailed on personal recognizance at approximately 4:30 a.m. by Bail Commissioner Matt Day under the condition that he not return to his father’s apartment at 18 Maple Street, unless accompanied by police. Derek was also advised to go to Ayer District Court on Monday morning for his arraignment.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story was from September, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to get the court documents for the incident. FOIAs are time consuming.
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