On Monday, three men faced arraignment in Chelsea District Court following a Sunday standoff on Spruce Street. The incident involved armed robbery charges that led to a response from Chelsea Police and the Boston Police SWAT team. Edward Funes, 35, of Revere, Jose Parada, 19, of Saugus, and Luis Satiago, 23, of Chelsea were each charged with armed robbery, armed carjacking, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and firearms offenses. Funes received a $75,000 cash bail, Parada $50,000, and Santiago $100,000. Judge Diana Maldonado of Chelsea District Court scheduled their next court appearance for June 14.
The situation began when Chelsea Police arrived at a Spruce Street residence shortly before 8:00 a.m. Sunday, responding to a report from two victims who had been robbed and beaten at gunpoint near the Addison and Spruce Street intersection. The victims indicated that the assailants had entered the Spruce Street home. Concerned about the safety of other occupants, Chelsea Police established a perimeter without immediately entering. A Boston Police hostage negotiator was summoned and worked alongside a Chelsea sergeant to communicate with those inside, with the Boston sergeant conducting talks in English while the Chelsea sergeant spoke in Spanish. “This was outstanding police work from top to bottom,” said District Attorney Daniel Conley said. “The discretion, cooperation, and sharing of resources by Chelsea and Boston Police led to a peaceful resolution when lives really could have been at risk.” Through these negotiation efforts, nine people—six men, one woman, and two young children—safely exited the residence with no injuries reported.
After hours passed without further communication from inside, Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes authorized the Boston Police SWAT team to enter the residence. No suspects were found inside, and Chelsea Police then secured the property. Because onlookers prevented the victims from identifying the men who had left the home as their attackers, both the men and victims were brought to Chelsea Police headquarters for identification procedures. The three defendants were identified at that time. Officers recovered a handgun believed to be used in the robbery and jewelry suspected to have been stolen. Michael Chioffi represents Funes, Amy Sixt represents Parada, and Dan Fitzgerald represents Santiago. All three are scheduled to return to court on June 14.
