A tragedy was prevented Monday night at 391 Crescent Ave when a concerned neighbor and restrained police response stopped a man from killing his wife. Officers arrived at approximately 8:40 p.m. following a report of an attempted homicide. Upon arrival, they were informed by a second floor resident that a 10 year old boy from the third floor had knocked on his door desperately calling out, “My father is trying to kill me and my mother can you help me”. The neighbor, whose identity police are protecting, rushed to assist the victim by attempting to pull the attacker away from his wife. According to his account to officers, he was forced to retreat when the man produced a knife. Officers entered the hallway to find Joseph DeAngelo, 41, of Chelsea brandishing a knife and requesting that officers shoot him. When DeAngelo refused multiple orders to drop the weapon, an officer deployed a Taser. A second Taser application was required to subdue DeAngelo and take him into custody. Investigators discovered that DeAngelo had previously confined his son and wife in the bedroom, threatening to set them on fire as they begged for their lives. An accelerant was found sprayed on the bedroom door, and additional evidence related to the assault was recovered from the apartment. “This could have ended in tragedy,” stated Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes. “The neighbor’s heroic actions and the police officers response to an extremely violent situation was the only reason this ended without serious injury”. DeAngelo appeared in Chelsea District Court on Tuesday and was charged with Attempted Murder, Home Invasion and Attempted Arson of a Dwelling. The Chelsea Police Department encourages residents to report information confidentially through the 24 hour Crime Stoppers TIP line at 617-466-4880 or by texting the word Chelsea followed by their message to tip411 (847411) from a cell phone. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Police Department website at www.chelseapolice.com.
Chelsea man stopped from killing his wife
