Methuen man captured after being on the run since 2002

METHUEN, Mass. — A Methuen man who has been on the run for more than 16 years was arrested last Friday.

Police began an investigation last week following a tip through the Methuen Police app regarding the distribution of drugs out of a home.

On Friday, police were conducting surveillance in the area of the home near Brook Street when they saw 39-year-old Eric Rivera-Velez. They recognized him as one of the residents of the home where drugs were allegedly being sold. Officers detained Rivera-Velez and after confirming his identity, they learned he had numerous active warrants for his arrest.

"It's obvious when you try to hide your identity and go back and forth across the state border, your intent is to not be apprehended," said Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon.

Police say Rivera-Velez took some drastic steps to hide his identity. He was living under several fake names and allegedly burned the tips of his fingers off, in an attempt to permanently erase his fingerprints.

"We don't know what he used to burn the tips of his fingers, most common would be some sort of hot surface or an acid," said Methuen Police Captain James Jajuga, Jr.

He was even listed on Rockingham County’s Most Wanted list.

He had been wanted since 2002.

"How many people in 16 years did he have the potential to have sold an opioid to, who may have overdosed and died," said Solomon.

Rivera-Velez was charged for:

Warrant #1 out of Lawrence District Court