LEOMINSTER – On Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, Leominster Police Officers Nicholas Rice and Avery Benvissuto were dispatched to a residence on Laurel Street following a report of a disturbance.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Nicholas Rice and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“Dispatch advised responding units that the caller…stated there was violence in the home and her daughter was injured,” Officer Rice said.
Upon arrival, Officer Rice said he spoke with the reporting party and her daughter.
“I asked [the reporting party] what happened and she stated to talk to [her daughter],” Officer Rice said. “I asked [the reporting party’s daughter] what happened. She stated that her and her mother’s roommate, later identified as Andrea Miller, were arguing about her cats. [The reporting party’s daughter] stated that Andrea leaves the cats all day and they run around and get into [her mother’s] way.”
According to police, Andrea Miller, 46, resides at the same Laurel Street residence as the reporting party and her daughter.
“[The reporting party’s daughter] advised me she was trying to explain to Andrea that is why she put them in the basement,” Officer Rice said. “[The reporting party’s daughter] stated that Andrea then put two hands on the wooden gate (that separates the front walkway to the front porch) and shoved it into her foot/leg. I asked [the reporting party’s daughter] if she felt as though it was intentional and she stated yes.”
Officer Rice said the reporting party’s daughter had injuries to her toe and knee that were consistent with her account of the incident.
“[The reporting party’s daughter] stated she absolutely wanted to pursue charges,” Officer Rice said. “It should be noted that there is a ring camera on the front porch that faces the direction of where this incident occurred. I asked [the reporting party] if the camera records and she stated no, it’s only live view.”
Officer Rice then spoke with Andrea Miller.
“I asked her what happened and she corroborated the statement regarding the argument about the cats. She added that [the reporting party’s daughter] locks them in the basement and bathroom often without water/food,” Officer Rice said.
Miller stated that as she approached the gate with her hands full, the reporting party’s daughter was on the other side of the gate with her hands full and would not let her enter.
“Andrea then stated that she opened the gate and it brushed up against her,” Officer Rice said.
At around this time, Sergeant James McKenna arrived on scene, and Officer Rice briefed him on what had occurred.
“He agreed with me that Andrea would be arrested for ABDW [assault and battery with a dangerous weapon],” Officer Rice said. “I then went back over to Andrea and placed her under arrest. I placed handcuffs on her which were checked for tightness and double locked.”
Officer Benvissuto then transported Miller to the Leominster Police Department for booking.
“It should be noted that [the reporting party’s daughter] was offered medical attention and declined,” Officer Rice said. “I explained to [the reporting party’s daughter] how she could obtain an HPO [harassment prevention order] if she felt as though one is needed.”
Andrea Miller, 46, of Laurel Street, Leominster, was charged with the following:
- Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
Miller was arraigned in Leominster District Court on Sept. 9, 2026. Following her arraignment, she was released on $100 cash bail under the condition that she not contact the victim(s).
Miller’s next court date is a pretrial hearing scheduled for Oct. 22, 2026.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in September, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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