Two men arrested at Somerville Holiday Inn after exiting parked car through window, leaving large capacity firearm under truck, and police chase

SOMERVILLE — On Saturday, December 7, 2024, at approximately 7:21 a.m., Officers Igor Bitencourt and Officer Diane Prophete of the Somerville Police Department were dispatched to the Holiday Inn located at 30 Washington Street following a report that two individuals had climbed out of the passenger side of a window of a vehicle in the parking lot.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from a summary of the incident written by Officer Bitencourt in the Somerville Police Department’s weekly arrest log and do not reflect any political or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

“Upon arrival, I observed a dark gray Kia parked in the middle of the roadway,” Officer Bitencourt said. “Two individuals, later identified as Justin Martin and Benjamin Emanuel were walking away from the vehicle.”

According to police, Benjamin Emanuel, 24, is a resident of 116 Lake Shore Road, Apt. 2, Brighton, MA; and Justin R. Martin, 30, is a resident of 2 Audubon Way, Canton, MA.

A witness at the scene identified the two individuals to Officer Bitencourt, noting that they had just exited the vehicle. The witness added that Martin was the driver and Emanuel was the passenger, which was also verified by surveillance video from the Holiday Inn, Officer Bitencourt said. Officer Prophete conducted a plain-view inspection of the vehicle and observed one 40 caliber bullet inside.

“I attempted to establish contact with the two individuals, but they ignored me and proceeded into the Holiday Inn,” Officer Bitencourt said. “Once inside, they continued walking into the extremely busy and crowded dining area and eventually sat at a table in an apparent attempt to act as if they had been there the entire time.  When I approached the table, I explained the situation and asked for an explanation. Both individuals repeatedly stated that they did not know what I was talking about. Officer Prophete arrived shortly after and also attempted to explain the situation, but they continued denying involvement.”

Officer Prophete then stepped away to check on the parked vehicle and notify Sergeant Mackenzie Richardson of what was going on, while Officer Bitencourt remained inside the hotel with the suspects.

“Both of them began displaying nervous behavior, fidgeting, and glancing toward exit points,” Officer Bitencourt said. “Suddenly, Mr. Martin stood up. I ordered him to sit back down as he was being detained. He ignored my commands and spoke to his companion, Mr. Emanuel, saying, ‘This is ridiculous, stand up and record this.’ Both individuals ignored further commands to remain seated. Backup was requested, and Officer Prophete and I placed one handcuff on the individuals. While placing handcuffs on Mr. Martin, he flexed his arm and pulled away, resisting. I instructed him to stop resisting, but he continued. At the same time, Mr. Emanuel, who was being handcuffed by Officer Prophete, pushed her off and fled toward the exit.”

Officer Bitencourt released Martin to pursue Emanuel with Officer Prophete. Subsequently, Officer Prophete stopped pursuing Emanuel and regained control of Martin.

“Mr. Emanuel attempted to exit through the hotel’s main doors, which were slow to open,” Officer Bitencourt said. “As he struggled to open the doors, I tackled him, securing his waist and legs to bring him to the ground. On the floor, he resisted by clenching his fists and tucking his arms under his chest. Despite repeated commands to stop resisting, he attempted to push himself up. I requested additional backup while holding Mr. Martin in position.”

When Somerville Police Officer Tenzing Kartso arrived on scene as backup, Officer Bitencourt said he was able to secure Emanuel in handcuffs with assistance from the responding officer.

“During the struggle with Mr. Emanuel, I was poked in my left hand, resulting in a laceration and bleeding. Cataldo Ambulance was notified, and I was treated at the scene,” Officer Bitencourt said. “Following his handcuffing, Mr. Emanuel’s information was run, revealing two active warrants for his arrest. Upon learning this, he became verbally combative, particularly toward Officer [Daniel] Dell’Isola. Mr. Emanuel threatened, ‘I could fu*k you up one on one’ and ‘I’m gonna spit in your face.’   Mr. Emanuel stood aggressively, prompting Officer Dell’isola and I to restrain him and return him to a seated position. At one point, he puckered his lips and clenched his jaw as though preparing to spit. Officer Dell’Isola turned Mr. Emanuel’s head away and laid him on his side to prevent him from spitting. Mr. Emanuel also complained about tight handcuffs. Officers double-checked the cuffs, ensuring they were double-locked and that two fingers could fit between the cuffs and his wrists.”

Emanuel and Martin were both apprehended on scene.

Officer Bitencourt said that detectives on scene conducted a search and located a firearm under a Toyota RAV4 in the parking lot of the hotel. (The type of firearm retrieved at the scene was not included in the summary of events posted to the Somerville Police Department’s weekly arrest log for the incident).  

Emanuel was charged with:

1. Firearm Serial Number, Deface
2. Possession of Ammunition Without FID Card
3. Resisting Arrest
4. Possession of a Firearm, Large Capacity
5. Carrying a Firearm Without a License

Martin was charged with:

1. Possession of Ammunition Without FID Card
2. Resisting Arrest 
3. Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License 

Emanuel and Officer Bitencourt were transported to Cambridge Hospital for evaluation.

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