Police and Fire News

Harwich Police investigate shot fired at a home, two residential break-ins; Orleans armed robbery suspect arrested Wednesday; Man holds girlfriend, child against will, arrested for armed assault in Falmouth; Fill a Cruiser with Food rescheduled

Criminal behavior keeps Cape law enforcement officers busy Wednesday

Harwich Police investigate shot fired at a residence

SOUTH HARWICH - On Wednesday, a resident of Uncle Venies Road in the South Harwich section of town contacted the Police Department to report that they had come home and discovered a bullet hole in their front door.  Patrol Officers and the Detective Division responded to the scene.

A bullet had been fired through the front glass door of the residence.  The bullet then embedded itself in the thick wooden door.  A Crime Scene Investigator from the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office was called to help collect evidence at the scene.

The resident had been away and no one was at the residence when the shot was fired.  The Harwich Police are continuing to investigate.

Release courtesy of the Harwich Police Department.

Harwich Police investigate two residential break-ins Wednesday

NORTH HARWICH - The Harwich Police Department is investigating two residential break-ins that occurred during the day on Wednesday.  The first break was reported on Speak Way in the North Harwich section of town.  The homeowner arrived home and discovered that his flat screen television was stolen out of his living room sometime during the day on Wednesday.

It is not uncommon for people to mistake potentially criminal activity for normal, day to day activities.

A second residential break in was reported while officers were at the residence on Speak Way.  A resident on Lothrop Avenue arrived home and found that his rear door to his residence had been forced open.  He then discovered that his flat screen television was missing.  A further check of the house revealed that numerous drawers were opened and some money and jewelry was missing.

The Harwich Police Department was assisted at both crime scenes by a Crime Scene Investigator from the Barnstable County Sheriff.

The Harwich Police Department would like to remind residents to contact the police to report any suspicious activity.  Both of these break-ins occurred during the day.  It is not uncommon for people to mistake potentially criminal activity for normal, day to day activities. 

For example, the Watertown Police recently arrested a group of subjects who were using UHAUL trucks in the course of their break-ins.  When people see a UHAUL truck they typically assume someone is moving.  As in Watertown, this is not always the case.

The Harwich Police Department can be contacted at 508 430-7541 or 911 for EMERGENCIES.

Release courtesy of the Harwich Police Department.

Suspect arrested for armed robbery in Orleans

ORLEANS - On Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at 11:05 p.m., Orleans Police Officers responded to the Mobil Gas Station at the intersection of Main Street and Route 6A, for a reported armed robbery. The clerk told police that a white male entered the store moments earlier and demanded all of the cash from the register.

John J. Kiely, 36, of Orleans will face Armed Robbery charges in Orleans District Court.

The suspect kept his hand in his pocket and told the clerk he had a handgun and not to do anything stupid. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken, and the suspect was seen leaving the area on the surveillance footage.

Once the scene was secured, officers and detectives began collecting digital and forensic evidence from the area. Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office CIOs and a K9 were called to assist in the investigation.

A short time later, evidence was found abandoned on Old Colony Way and a K9 track was led from there, to a residence at Bayberry Condominiums, off of Old Colony Way. John J. Kiely, 36, of Orleans was placed under arrest and charged with Armed Robbery.  Kiely will be arraigned in Orleans District Court on Thursday.

Barnstable County Sheriff CIO Sean Percy and K9 Deputy Sheriff Lt. Barney Murphy assisted in the investigation.

A subsequent search of his residence by Orleans officers provided the clothing matching the surveillance footage along with cash.

Chief Jeffrey Roy commends the quick response and professional actions of the first responding officers, Richard Dinn and David Freiner. Follow-up investigation by Detective Kevin Higgins, Sgt. William Norton and Officer Andy McLaughlin, and a great cooperative effort by surrounding towns, brought this incident to a quick conclusion.

Release and mugshot courtesy of the Orleans Police Department.

Man holds girlfriend, child against will, arrested for armed assault in Falmouth

K9 used to distract, disarm suspect

FALMOUTH - On Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at 8:36 p.m., a female entered the Falmouth Police Department and reported that she was a victim of domestic violence involving a hand gun. Her boyfriend, identified as 24-year-old Michael James Finnegan of Falmouth, had been holding her and their young child against their will for the past 24 hours in room 110 at the Seven Seas Motor Lodge at 24 Scranton Ave. in Falmouth.

Falmouth police officers and members of the Barnstable County Sheriff's Department K9 Unit were dispatched to the room to locate the suspect and secure the firearm.

Officers found Finnegan in the bathroom holding the gun to his head. Officers spoke with Finnegan and tried to get him to turn over the weapon. Ultimately, the K9 was used to distract Finnegan and officers were able to disarm him and take him into custody.

Finnegan was transported to Falmouth Hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries sustained during his apprehension. He will be arraigned in Falmouth District Court on Domestic Violence and Firearm charges.

Release courtesy of the Falmouth Police Department.

***   ***   ***

Fill a Yarmouth Cruiser with Food to take place Sunday, January 10, 2010

Event postponed from an earlier date due to inclement weather

YARMOUTH - The Fill A Yarmouth Cruiser With Food event will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  This first annual event sponsored by the Yarmouth Police Department and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Yarmouth Police Local 422 will greatly benefit members of the Cape Cod Community in need.

There will be two drop-off locations in town:

• Stop & Shop Supermarket, Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth
• Shaw’s Supermarket, Route 28, South Yarmouth

There is a great need for nonperishable items including pasta, cereal, soup and baby food. Click here to see the original story and for details about what is needed and how the program works.

Release courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.