WAYLAND — A 17-year-old from Acton who was wanted in relation to two deaths in that town was found and apprehended in Wayland this morning by the Wayland Police Department.
Arjun Aravind, 17, was later charged by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office with the murder of his mother and teenage brother.
According to Wayland Police Department Acting Chief Mark Hebert, Officer David Fors discovered the green 2014 Honda Accord with Aravind in it when he was responding to an alarm, unrelated to the Acton deaths, in a lot on Andrew Avenue just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday.
“Officer Fors saw the car around 3 a.m. when he was driving around the lot where the alarm was reported,” said Hebert. “He confirmed it was the BOLO (Be on the Lookout) vehicle from Acton Police and called the supervisor in charge.”
Hebert said after officers from Sudbury, Weston and Lincoln arrived for backup, due to limited Wayland officers working the overnight shift, Officer Fors, a four-year veteran of the WPD, apprehended Aravind as Acton police arrived.
“We are all very impressed and proud of the job Officer Fors did in being observant and seeing the vehicle in question,” Hebert added. “It speaks well to his observation skills.”
Wayland Town Manager MIchael McCall commended everyone from WPD involved in a statement released by the Town.
“I would like to commend Police Chief Hebert and the Wayland Police Department, specifically Officer Fors, Sgt. (Sean) Fitzpatrick, and Officer Kristin Zink for their prompt response and assistance during this incident. Their proactive patrol and approach are a reflection of our officers’ dedication and commitment to keeping our community safe,” McCall said.
Authorities have not released a cause or manner of death.
Aravind has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of assault and battery on a household or family member, two counts of assault and battery, use of a vehicle without authority and theft of a motor vehicle, according to the DA’s office.
Car recovered on Andrew Avenue
The DA’s office said Acton police responded shortly after 6:37 p.m. Tuesday to a home on Martha Lane for a well-being check. Officers entered the home and found Sudha Venkatesan in the basement and 14-year-old Siddharth Aravind on the first floor, both deceased.
The search moved into Wayland during the overnight hours.
WCVB reported that police converged on an Andrew Avenue parking lot early Wednesday, where officers were seen searching a vehicle before it was towed. Boston 25 News reported that video showed the Honda being removed from a lot near the Stop & Shop and a medical office on Andrew Avenue.
The landmarks place the police activity in the commercial area around Wayland Town Center. Stop & Shop is at 101 Andrew Ave., and Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care is nearby at 109 Andrew Ave. The precise location where the Honda was found has not been identified by authorities.
Police have not disclosed how long it had been there, who left it there or whether anything was recovered during the search of the vehicle.
Search began after two found dead
CBS News Boston reported that the well-being check at the Martha Lane home was requested after a family member was unable to reach people inside.
After discovering the two deaths, investigators began searching for Aravind and the green Honda, with Massachusetts license plate 34P-D94, owned by the woman who was found dead.
Investigators also conducted police activity at a shopping plaza in Hudson Tuesday evening. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan confirmed that the Hudson activity was connected to the Acton investigation, but authorities have not explained what investigators were looking for there or whether anything was recovered.
Questions remain
Police also have not publicly said when the two died, whether a weapon was involved, what evidence was recovered from the Acton home or the Honda, or what connection led investigators to Hudson and then to the vehicle in Wayland.
WHDH-TV reported that its cameras appeared to show a person being taken into custody near the Wayland vehicle early Wednesday. However, the station cautioned that authorities had not established the significance of that detention. Subsequent reports continued to say Aravind had not been located.
The investigation involves Acton police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
The Wayland Post will update this story as additional information is released.
Sources: Middlesex District Attorney’s Office; NBC10 Boston; WCVB Channel 5; Boston 25 News; CBS News Boston/WBZ; WHDH-TV 7News; The Boston Globe.
