Dec. 13, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241
WORCESTER — An 80-year-old Amesbury man was arrested this afternoon and charged with the 1991 shooting death of an armored truck guard, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Ralph DeMasi is being charged with armed robbery and the murder of Edward P. Morlock Sr. of Athol on May 18, 1991 in the foyer at Shaw’s Supermarket, 490 Lincoln St. Mr. Morlock, age 52 at the time, was shot multiple times as he was carrying money bags from Shaw’s.
Mr. DeMasi was arrested by Worcester Police after a Worcester grand jury handed up indictments to Superior Court Judge Janet Kenton-Walker. He will be arraigned tomorrow in Worcester Superior Court.
It is alleged that Mr. DeMasi and other suspects escaped the robbery and shooting in a waiting car, which was then left around the corner on Goldthawaite Road. The suspects then switched to a second vehicle.
Three other men believed to have participated in the robbery have died in the intervening years.
Today’s arrest is the result new information uncovered during an investigation by Worcester Police, the FBI and the District Attorney’s Office, according to Mr. Early.
“This was an example of great investigative work by Worcester Police, particularly the WPD Unresolved Homicide Unit, and a meticulous presentation to the grand jury by Assistant District Attorneys John Bradley and Terry McLaughlin,” Mr. Early said. “I also want to acknowledge the assistance of the FBI and State Police in the investigation.”
“I have seen first-hand the hard work and dedication that has gone into this case,” Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent said. “I am proud of the partnership we share with the Office of District Attorney Joseph Early, the Massachusetts State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hopefully, this arrest brings some measure of closure to the family of Edward Morlock.”
NOTE TO MEDIA: Ralph DeMasi will be arraigned around 11 a.m. tomorrow in Courtroom 18 of the Worcester County Courthouse. A press conference with DA Early and Chief Sargent will follow. No further information will be released until that time.