WINCHENDON — On Saturday, January 4, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Officer Daniel Caputi of the Winchendon Police Department initiated a motor vehicle stop on Gardner Road/Route 140 northbound for speeding.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Caputi and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“I was parked in the breakdown lane on the right shoulder of the road,” Officer Caputi explained. “I exited ‘W9,’ a marked police cruiser having blue and white (flashing emergency lights) on and approached the operator. While speaking to the operator, I observed a grey 2005 Chevy Silverado pass by at a high rate of speed. The operator was later identified as Daniel Heim.”
According to police, Epbert Daniel Heim, 22, is a resident of 76 Ash Street, Winchendon, MA.
“The vehicle did not proceed with due caution and failed to ‘move over’ as required,” Officer Caputo said. “While continuing forward, I heard the truck’s exhaust become very loud, harsh, and unreasonable as it heavily accelerated, which caught my attention. As the truck passed by in close proximity to me, I estimated the truck to be traveling at approximately 75 mph in the posted 50 mph zone.”
Officer Caputi then noted that it was “very cloudy and dark” that evening with light snow flurries and the roadway was “dry.” He also mentioned that there were no street lights in the area when Heim passed by his cruiser and traffic was moderate.
“The truck was traveling at a rate of speed greater than reasonable and proper having traveled at an estimated 25 mph over the speed limit. It passed by without due caution for safety and increased its speed while passing a (stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights) and operated in a manner which could have placed the lives and safety of the public at risk,” Officer Caputi said. Later adding, “The operation made me leave the current stop I was on and stop his vehicle. As the vehicle was well ahead of me, I caught up to the truck approximately one mile ahead and initiated a motor vehicle stop. The truck turned left onto Teel Road and pulled over onto the shoulder.”
Officer Caputi said he approached the operator and notified him of the reason for the stop and observed that he was not wearing a seat belt.
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“I recognized the operator as Daniel Heim due to a recent motor vehicle stop where I issued him a verbal warning for speeding,” Officer Caputi said. “The most recent was given on (November 12, 2024 at 12:47 a.m.) where Daniel was traveling through the intersection of Central Street and Front Street at 39 mph in a posted 15 mph zone (24 mph over the speed limit).”
Officer Caputi asked Heim for his license and registration which he provided.
“Daniel told me he just had the truck ‘tuned’ and that he was trying to figure it out and was returning home with it,” Officer Caputi said. “He admitted to speeding and apologized while [I was] speaking to him roadside. I called Sgt. [Raymond] Anair and informed him of the traffic stop before making the arrest. Officer [Justin] Smith arrived on scene as backup and we approached the vehicle.”
Officer Caputi asked Heim to exit the vehicle and informed him that he was being placed under arrest for Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
“He was handcuffed behind his back (DL) [double locked]. I searched him for weapons before placing him into the cruiser,” Officer Caputi said. “Daniel’s truck was not towed and his friend drove the truck to his house as he was licensed (confirmed with dispatch).”
Heim was transported to the Winchendon Police Department where he was “booked and afforded all applicable rights,” according to Officer Caputi.
“After being read Miranda rights, he was asked if he intended to drive that closely when passing by,” Officer Caputi said. “Daniel responded something to the effect of ‘no,’ his steering column was broken/loose, as a result, the wheel turns on its own, so he has to overcompensate while driving. He was then asked about his speed and why he was driving so fast. Daniel said his truck was just ‘tuned’ and the computer upgrades makes the truck shift and accelerate on its own even if he does not move his foot on the accelerator pedal. While in booking Daniel was respectful and polite, he apologized for his actions and appeared sincere. He was placed into cell #3 at 8:48 p.m. Bail Commissioner Marianne Kissane-Fitcher was contacted. No bail was set and Daniel’s release was granted on personal recognizance. Daniel was released at 8:59 p.m.”
Officer Caputi issued Heim a Massachusetts Uniform citation which was given to Heim in hand for the following:
- Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Emergency Vehicle, Obstruct Stationary
- Failure to Wear Seat Belt
- Speeding Rate of Speed Exceeding Posted Limit
Heim was arraigned in Winchendon District Court on Jan. 6, 2025. Following his arraignment, he was released on personal recognizance. On Feb. 11, 2025, Heim attended a pretrial hearing, which was continued to Feb. 21, 2025.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story was from January, 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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