For Immediate Release August 9, 2007

Contact: Corey Welford/Meredith Lerner 617-679-6522

North Carolina Man Indicted In Connection With Chelmsford Home Invasion

LOWELL - Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that a North Carolina man has been indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury in connection with an alleged Chelmsford home invasion and assault last week.

Adam L. Lane, age 42, of Jonesville, North Carolina, is charged with home invasion, armed assault in a dwelling, assault to rape a child, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (2 counts), assault with intent to murder, larceny over $250, threats to commit a crime, resisting arrest, and attempted burglary.

According to authorities, on July 30 at approximately 3:58 a.m. Chelmsford Police responded to a 911 call to the Massachusetts State Police of a reported home invasion in Chelmsford. When the officer arrived, a young female victim was outside the house and explained that the defendant was inside fighting with her father.

The officer entered the house and moved to a rear bedroom where he found the defendant - a large male, dressed in black with a head mask on – on the floor on top of the father, who had put the defendant in a headlock. The defendant’s back was towards the father and the defendant was struggling to get free. The officer held the suspect at gunpoint until backup arrived. Once another officer arrived, they handcuffed the suspect after a brief struggle. The officers then removed the defendant’s mask. None of the victims knew the suspect.

After the suspect was removed from the premises, further interviews revealed that the young female victim was asleep in her bed at approximately 3:55 a.m. She awoke to find the defendant, dressed in black, over her. He allegedly held a knife against her throat. The victim’s parents were awoken by the young victim’s crying.

Her father entered her room to find the suspect over her with a knife to her throat. The father and mother pulled the man from their daughter, with the mother suffering knife wounds to her hands while pulling him away. After a violent struggle, the father was able to get the suspect onto the floor and into a hold until police arrived.

The young victim and mother were sent to Emerson Hospital for examination, and the mother received treatment for her wounds.

At the time of his arrest, the defendant was wearing black pants, a black shirt, a black mask that covered his entire head, and black gloves. He was also wearing a second belt that had two knife sheaths, a pouch with a flashlight, and a larger pouch that contained a cell phone, a leather mask, a throwing star, and a “choke wire.” The defendant also had a “lock-blade” knife in addition to two military style knives.

After further investigation, it is also alleged that the defendant had taken both female victims’ handbags.

Lane was arraigned in Lowell District Court on July 30, at which point he was ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing by Judge Stephen Ostrach.  At the defendant’s dangerousness hearing on August 6, he was ordered held without bail by Judge Neil Walker in Lowell District Court.

Lanes’ arraignment date on the Superior Court charges has not yet been scheduled.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the Chelmsford Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Kerry Ahern.  The Victim witness advocate is Dora Quiroz.

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