Police and Fire News

Harwich crash; In Dennis: assault leads to drug charges; three arrested in disturbance

Harwich crash seriously injures one
HARWICH - One man suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries after they lost control of their pickup on Route 6 near exit 10 around 9 PM Wednesday evening. The pickup truck struck a tree by exit 10 demolishing the front end. The driver 47-year old Kenneth H. Pratt III of Chatham was found near the truck and was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital. State Police are investigating the crash. Further details were not immediately available. 

Assault leads to drug bust
DENNIS - Police responding to a disturbance call ended up making a drug bust as well. At about 1:34 AM Wednesday morning Dennis Police responded to the Condominium complex located at 428 Route 28 in West Dennis in response to a cell-phone 9-1-1 call reporting a disturbance at the location. When the police arrived Patrolman Cleve Daniels observed a male subject in the parking lot of the condominium complex who was flagging him down. This subject reported to him that he had been assaulted by his female roommate just prior to calling the police.

While speaking with the victim, Ptl. Daniels could hear a female yelling and banging coming from inside the apartment in question. Ptl. Daniels was able to gain entry to the apartment and with the assistance of Ptl. Thomas Downes arrested the female for Assault and Battery on her roommate. As the officers were escorting her from the apartment she reportedly asked Ptl. Daniels to retrieve her pocketbook and shoes and bring those items with her to the police station. Police say those items were subsequently inventoried at the police station and inside of the pocketbook Ptl. Daniels found a small quantity of packaged Cocaine, Marijuana and several prescription pills. In addition to the A&B charge the suspect 47-year old Gina M Champ of West Dennis was also charged with Possession of a Class B Controlled Substance-Cocaine, Possession of a Class B Controlled Substance-Percocet, Possession of a Class D Controlled Substance-Marijuana and Possession of a Class E Controlled Substance-Klonopin. Ms. Champ was later bailed on personal recognizance and was due to be arraigned in Orleans District Court on Wednesday.

Two arrested for burglary, third for assaulting officer in Dennis
DENNIS - Dennis Police arrest two people for alleged burglary and a third person for allegedly assaulting an officer. Police say approximately 6:30 PM on Tuesday evening they responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a disturbance at 28 Maple Terrace. in South Dennis. Upon arrival officers learned that two individuals later identified as 20-year old Kevin D. Cochran and his sister-in-law 27-year old Jennifer M. Cochran both of Dennis had allegedly forced their way inside the residence and Mr. Cochran had allegedly assaulted a resident by punching him, knocking out his two front teeth. 

Police believe the suspects had apparently broken into the residence to retrieve some items, which belonged to another resident of the Maple Terrace home who was now staying with the suspects at their residence.

Both individuals were taken into custody at the scene and were being charged with Burglary.  Mr. Cochran was also charged with Assault & Battery Resulting in Aggravated Injury to the occupant of the residence while Ms. Cochran is additionally being charged with Assault & Battery on the occupant. The victim was treated at the scene by Dennis Fire/Rescue personnel but refused transport to the hospital.

While further investigating the incident the victim became upset while talking on his cell phone.  At the end of his conversation, the victim threw the cell-phone in the direction of the investigating police officers, striking one of them.  The officer, Patrolman David Tinelli, received a minor injury to his leg, which did not require medical attention.

The victim 21-year old Nicholas K. Bickel of Dennis was then placed under arrest for Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon on a police officer. 

All parties were released from custody, on Personal Recognizance bail, due to be arraigned in Orleans District Court on Wednesday.

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