By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Lawrence Police Officer Ariel Cruz, a rookie who joined the department in October 2025, was seriously injured Tuesday evening after being dragged approximately two blocks when a passenger in a stopped vehicle jumped into the driver’s seat and drove away during an arrest.
- Cruz sustained broken bones and internal injuries and was airlifted to a Boston hospital, where he was listed in stable condition Wednesday, according to Lawrence Police Chief Maurice Aguiler.
- The suspect, identified as Hector Rivera, 34, was taken into custody Wednesday around noon in Plaistow, N.H., following a multi-agency manhunt involving Lawrence police gang detectives, Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section troopers, and U.S. Marshals.
- Rivera faces arraignment Thursday in Salem, N.H., District Court, as well as a separate arraignment in Lawrence District Court at a later date.
- The stop occurred at 7:40 p.m. at the intersection of East Haverhill and Kendall streets; the original driver had been detained for operating without a license and outstanding warrants when Rivera allegedly commandeered the vehicle.
LAWRENCE, Mass. — A rookie Lawrence police officer was airlifted to a Boston hospital Tuesday night with serious injuries, including broken bones and internal injuries, after being dragged approximately two blocks when a passenger in a stopped vehicle allegedly jumped behind the wheel and fled during a traffic stop, police said. The suspect was captured the following day in southern New Hampshire.
The incident occurred at 7:40 p.m. at the intersection of East Haverhill and Kendall streets. Officer Ariel Cruz had stopped a vehicle and was in the process of placing the driver under arrest for operating without a license and outstanding warrants. At that point, a passenger in the vehicle — later identified as Hector Rivera, 34, of Lawrence — allegedly slid into the driver’s seat and accelerated, dragging Cruz along the roadway for approximately two blocks before he was separated from the vehicle. Cruz has been with the Lawrence Police Department since October 2025.
A white Honda CRV believed to be connected to the incident was located in Plaistow, N.H., Tuesday night. A law enforcement BOLO alert identified the suspect as wanted for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon — a motor vehicle — as well as outstanding warrants. By Wednesday midday, Rivera was taken into custody in Plaistow through a coordinated effort involving Lawrence police gang unit detectives, Massachusetts State Police troopers from the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and U.S. Marshals. Rivera is scheduled for arraignment Thursday in Salem, N.H., District Court and faces a separate court date in Lawrence District Court.
Chief Aguiler confirmed Cruz was in stable condition Wednesday and credited the multi-agency response for the swift apprehension. “The apprehension of this suspect is the direct result of relentless investigative work and strong partnerships among law enforcement agencies,” Aguiler said. “Anyone who chooses to endanger our residents or attack a police officer should know that we will use every available resource to identify them, locate them, and bring them into custody.”
Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña visited Cruz and his family at the Boston hospital Wednesday morning and issued a statement on behalf of the city. “Officer Cruz put himself in harm’s way while serving and protecting our community,” DePeña said. “We continue to pray for his strength, healing, and recovery.” The mayor also expressed appreciation for Lawrence police, EMS personnel, hospital staff, and the law enforcement partners who assisted in the investigation and capture. No additional charges or further details regarding Rivera’s prior warrants had been publicly released as of the time of publication.