Police and Fire News

Chatham officers need backup; Nantucket attacks; Hyannis stabbing, Victim recovered after Nantucket boating mishap

Chatham Police need backup to disperse party
CHATHAM - Chatham officers called for assistance from Orleans, Harwich and State Police after a crowd at a weekend party allegedly began threatening officers. Police were called to a Lake Street location Saturday night after a neighbor complaint of noise and possible people driving away drunk. When police arrived a fight had broken out. One person involved in the fight was detained but not charged. Police did arrest 27-year-old Austin Bates of South Chatham for assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest and are seeking a second individual. The party-goers were not kids and were described by police as being about 30-years-old.

Pair of Nantucket attacks apparently unrelated
NANTUCKET - Two separate and apparently unrelated disturbing attacks shattered the normal quiet of Nantucket Island last week. In the first on July 28 police allege two island residents were motivated by hate. 20-year-old Nicholas Valero and 23-year-old Timothy Markling are accused of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (beer bottle) on a foreign man on Swain Street on the island. During the assault they reportedly made statements to the victim to get  out of the country and that he didn't belong in the country.

In the second incident Nantucket Police say they are investigating an assault and battery that occurred during what appears to be an attempted robbery around 2:45 a.m. on July 31st on Surfside Road near Windy Way. Police Officers responded to a report of a male victim being battered by two black males on the bicycle path near the Muse Night Club. Upon arrival, officers talked to the 23-year-old victim who reported that while walking on the bicycle path two unknown suspects, described as black males riding bicycles (one not wearing a shirt), approached him from behind and started striking him in the head with their fists while unsuccessfully demanding that he give them his money. At this point a citizen overheard the victim screaming and called 911. The witness then proceeded to the location and observed the two black males striking the victim. The suspects then fled the area on their bicycles toward the High School on Surfside Road. The witness then assisted the victim to the Muse Night Club parking lot where they met responding officers. The victim was treated for minor cuts and scrapes by Nantucket Fire EMTs. Officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspects. The investigation is still on-going. Anyone with information that may assist Nantucket Police detectives in solving this crime may call their Tip Line at (508) 228-3626.

Man stabbed in the arm in Hyannis
HYANNIS - Barnstable Police are investigating a reported stabbing near the intersection of North and Sea Streets early Monday morning. A 21-year-old man was treated and released from Cape Cod Hospital for a stab wound to the arm.  An alleged altercation between two groups of men apparently led to the stabbing.

Victim recovered after Nantucket boating mishap
NANTUCKET - State Police divers recovered the body of a man missing since his boat capsized Sunday. Three men were fishing on a 9 foot skiff on Sesachacha Pond when it capsized Sunday morning. Two of the men made it to shore but the third disappeared. A Coast Guard helicopter hovered overhead yesterday but saw no sign of the victim. Divers recovered a body believed to be the victim 21-year old Wilber Pena Monday afternoon. See Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror story here.

Dennis Police Department Sponsors National Night Out, Tuesday, August 5
DENNIS - On Tuesday, August 5, Dennis residents and visitors are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the annual National Night Out crime and drug-prevention event. Hosted by the Dennis Police Department, the event will run from 4 to 7 PM at the Dennis Police Department at 90 Bob Crowell Road in South Dennis.

This year's event features a host of fun and exciting activities for the entire family including free food and drink, face painting, balloons, a Natural Resources display, and police K-9 demonstration. On a more serious note, the event will include child identification, bike safety, drug awareness, neighborhood watch, and fire prevention.

For more information about the National Night Out visit www.nationalnightout.org. For local information, visit the Dennis Police web site at www.dennispolice.com.

Editor's note: Cape Wide News reported Falmouth Police are also sponsoring a National Night Out and other Cape police departments may well also be doing the same so check with your local department.

Story by Kevin Morley.