Police and Fire News

Stabbing suspect arrested, disturbance quelled by Yarmouth Police

Stabbing suspect arrested, disturbance quelled by Yarmouth Police

Suspect stabbed younger brother six times

   Randolph Mills, 19, arrested for stabbing his younger brother 6 times.

WEST YARMOUTH - On Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 6:52 p.m., Yarmouth Police Officers responded to 49 Reid Avenue in West Yarmouth regarding a report of a violent fight and stabbing between two brothers.

According to a previous report on this site, Randolph J. Mills was arrested on April 4 at 2:40 a.m. during a vehicle stop on Buck Island Road in West Yarmouth for Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle. (Previous mugshot, right)

Yarmouth Police and Fire Department personnel arrived at the rental home and determined that Randolph Mills, 19, of Reid Avenue in West Yarmouth, had stabbed his younger brother six times in his side, hip, and back area then fled.

Yarmouth Firefighters treated and stabilized the victim and subsequently transported him to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis for treatment of non life-threatening stab wounds.

Yarmouth Police Patrol Officers Neal Donohue, Sean Brewer, Albert Sprague, Philip Magnuson, Raymond Scichilone, David Dickey, K9 Patrol Officer Peter McClelland and Patrol Sergeant John Lanata conducted an on-scene investigation and search for the suspect.

After establishing and inner and outer perimeter and rechecking the immediate area, the suspect, Randolph Mills, was found hiding inside a bedroom closet of the residence.  Mills was placed under arrest and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters where he was charged with Felony Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon.  He is scheduled for arraignment in the Barnstable District Court Thursday.

Members of the Barnstable County Crime Scene Investigation Unit provided crime scene and evidence collection services.

Another subject, William Foley (right), 18, of Weir Road in Yarmouth Port, was also arrested at the residence for providing misleading information and interfering with the investigation. Foley was charged with Felony Obstruction of Justice.  He is also scheduled for arraignment in the Barnstable District Court.

Release and mugshots courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

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Yarmouth Fire Department knocks down fire started by lightning strike

Yarmouth Fire Department knocks down fire started by lightning strike

WEST YARMOUTH - At 5:50 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2009, the Yarmouth Fire Department responded to a 911 call of a structure fire at 59 Clover Road in West Yarmouth.

Firefighters in Engine 45 arrived on scene at 5:56 p.m. and confirmed smoke coming from the building.  Firefighters  entered the front door and proceeded to the garage where the fire was discovered.

As firefighters made entry, flames were visible from the garage area and heavy smoke was escaping the roof vents. The fire was knocked down and brought under control quickly. Engines 42, 43, Tower 41, and ambulance 56 assisted with ventilation, and overhaul. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported.

It appears that lightning struck a tall pine tree and traveled underground to the garage area of the home starting the fire.

The first arriving Engine (45) responded from the recently re-opened station three.  Engine 45 signed on responding at 5:52 p.m. and was on location 4 minutes later.

Between 5:29 p.m. and 6:50 p.m., the Yarmouth Fire Department responded to 6 calls:

• 5:29 p.m. – Mutual Aid to Dennis for structure fire (cancelled before arriving)
• 5:46 p.m. – Investigation call/Good Intent
• 5:50 p.m. – Structure Fire 59 Clover Rd, West Yarmouth
• 6:04 p.m. – Automatic Fire Alarm at the Red Jacket Motel
• 6:06 p.m. – Automatic Fire Alarm at McDonalds Restaurant
• 6:51 p.m. – Medical call for a stabbing (no further details available at this time)

Release and photos courtesy of the Yarmouth Fire Department.

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Clam fishing takes a life in Little Pleasant Bay

Man killed by lightning while boating in Orleans

Vicious storm hits region hard and takes a life at sea
Interview with Fire Chief William Quinn and Police Detective Kevin Higgins

Orleans police and fire personnel discuss rescue at Portanimicut Road Landing in South Orleans yesterday.

ORLEANS - 42-year-old Christopher West was struck on a boat in Pleasant Bay in Orleans late Wednesday afternoon.

67-year-old John Jonason, also of Eastham, witnessed the strike and was treated and released at Cape Cod Hospital.

Mr. Jonason was killed by a lightning strike Wednesday afternoon while apparently clamming from his boat in South Orleans as fierce rainstorms battered Cape Cod and the Islands yesterday afternoon. Captain Burge of the Orleans Fire Department said the man was killed while fishing in his clam boat on Little Pleasant Bay in South Orleans.

The Fire Department received a boat rescue call around 5:30 p.m. and, along with the Orleans Harbormaster, found the man dead and alone in his boat east of Sipson Island. After determining the condition of the victim, the harbormaster towed his boat to the Portanimicut Road Landing. Orleans Police then contacted the Massachusetts State Police, who dispatched the Cape and Islands Detective Unit to investigate.

Orleans Fire Chief William Quinn said the storms came up suddenly turing day to night in a matter of a few minutes. He said it was possible for anyone enjoying the day fishing who was not watching the horizon to be caught unaware.

Video by David G. Curran.

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Three-vehicle accident in Pocasset

One seriously injured as pickup truck, two cars collide

BOURNE - One person received serious but non life-threatening injuries in a three-vehicle accident at the intersection of Barlows Landing Road and County Road in Pocasset Wednesday evening around 10:30 p.m.

The victim was transported to Falmouth Hospital for observation and treatment. Bourne Police are investigating the cause of the crash. Roads were slick at the time of the accident.

Photo by David G. Curran.

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Man arrested in Yarmouth for attack on woman, police officer; Two arrested for B&E to motor vehicles in Dennis; Harwich Police investigate multiple car breaks

Man arrested for attacking wife

Children, present in the home, were not harmed

WEST YARMOUTH - On Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 7:32 p.m. Yarmouth Police Officers responded to a report of a violent attack on a woman by her husband at 25 Partridge Valley Road in West Yarmouth.

Yarmouth Police Patrol Officer Richard F. White arrived at the residence and met with the woman who reported that she and her husband have been separated and when she went to the residence to pick up her two young children her husband locked the doors and would not let her leave with them. Her husband then grabbed her by her arms and pinned her down to the floor.  The woman screamed for help and was able to break free and get outside and call the police.

Additional police units were dispatched to the scene and Yarmouth Police K9 Patrol Officer Peter B. McClelland, Patrol Officer Christopher Marino, and Patrol Sergeant Francis L. Hennessey arrived and gained access to the residence and found the man laying on his bed with the two children in his lap.  The suspect initially refused to hand over the children but eventually did comply with the police officers and the children were released.

The suspect, Skye A. Soares (right), 22, of Partridge Valley Road in West Yarmouth, was placed under arrest and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters where he was charged with Domestic Assault and Battery.  Soares was held overnight and transported to the Barnstable District Court for arraignment Wednesday morning.

The children were not physically harmed and returned to their mother.  The Yarmouth Police Department assisted the woman in obtaining an emergency Protection Order and filed a verbal and written report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

Release and mugshot courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

Man arrested in Yarmouth for attack on woman and police officer

WEST YARMOUTH - On Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 6:56 p.m., Yarmouth Police Officers responded to 52 Lake Road West in West Yarmouth for a domestic violence attack in progress.

Yarmouth Police Patrol Officer Richard White and Patrol Sergeant Francis L. Hennessey arrived at the home and determined that a woman had been verbally assaulted and physically attacked by her ex-boyfriend who had fled the scene on foot prior to the police arrival.

A check of the area subsequently led to the suspect hiding inside a bathroom of a nearby home.  The suspect, Harvey Powell (right), 46, of Lake Road West in West Yarmouth, was placed under arrest and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters where he was charged with Domestic Assault.

During the booking process the suspect was combative and uncooperative and punched Patrol Sergeant Francis L. Hennessey in his left temple area and ripped off the sleeve of his uniform shirt.  With the assistance of a Taser device, Patrol Sergeant Hennessey and Patrol Officer Erica Wenberg were able to overcome the attack and place the suspect in a holding cell.  As a result of his actions, Powell was also charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer.

Powell was held overnight and transported to the Barnstable District Court Wednesday morning for arraignment.

Release and mugshot courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

Two arrested for B&E to motor vehicles in Dennis

Suspect hides in clothing pile in an effort to escape police

DENNIS - Around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2009,  Ptlmn. Cleve Daniels observed a 2000 green Mazda  Protégé containing two individuals operating southbound on Old Bass River Road.  At this time Ptlmn. Daniels noticed that the vehicle failed to display a front registration plate as required by law.  Ptlmn. Daniels activated his emergency equipment and signaled for the vehicle to stop.  In response the vehicle sped up and attempted to elude the officer by turning onto a side road.  The vehicle stopped a short time later and the passenger ran from the vehicle into nearby woods and the driver remained with the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Otis Reed, 36, of Partridge Pt. in Chatham, was arrested and charged with Failure to Stop for a Police Officer, Failure to Display a Registration Plate and Speeding and Operating to Endanger.

In the process of arresting Mr. Reed officers recovered a checkbook belonging to a New York woman as well as observing shards of motor vehicle window glass in the interior of the vehicle.

During this time period the owner of the checkbook was reporting to the Dennis Police that her vehicle had been broken into while parked at Cold Storage Beach in East Dennis and her pocketbook and other items stolen from it.

The passenger in Mr. Reed’s vehicle was identified by Ptlmn. Daniels as Steven Laurie, 47, of 33 Rena’s Way in Dennis.  Laurie had two outstanding misdemeanor warrants (shoplifting and drug possession).

Ptlmn. Daniels and other officers later went to Mr. Laurie’s house and during a search of the residence, located him hiding under a pile of clothes in his living room.  Mr. Laurie was arrested on the warrants.

Both individuals are also being charged with two (2) counts each of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle and Larceny Over $250.

A second break into a parked motor vehicle was reported shortly after Ptlmn. Daniels initial contact with these individuals.  This break occurred at Corporation Beach in Dennis.  Various personal items were stolen from this vehicle.

Both suspects were held at the Barnstable County Jail overnight on cash bail.  They will be arraigned Wednesday morning in Orleans District Court.

Release courtesy of the Dennis Police Department.

Harwich Police investigate multiple car breaks Tuesday night

HARWICH - Between Tuesday, June 30, 2009 and the morning of Wednesday, July 1, 2009, the Harwich Police Department investigated 15 motor vehicle break-ins.  Cash, personal effects and various types of mobile electronics were stolen from most of the vehicles. 

All of the vehicles that were entered were UNLOCKED.  The thefts occurred in the Pleasant Lake area of town as well as an area around the Harwichport Golf Course.

The Harwich Police were assisted by a Criminal Identification Officer and a K-9 Officer both from the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office.

The Harwich Police would like to remind citizens to always lock their vehicles.  Locked vehicles present a much more difficult and unappealing target for would-be thieves.

Release courtesy of the Harwich Police Department.

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Dennis PD, State Police aid Yarmouth PD with arrest after burlary in progress

Dennis PD aids Yarmouth PD with arrest after burlary in progress

Two men captured after door kicked in at Route 28 motel

   (Left to right): Richard M. Mullins, 20; Andrew T. Laverty, 21.

SOUTH YARMOUTH - On Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. members of the Yarmouth Police Department responded to a reported burglary-in-progress call at room 10 of the Cavalier Motel on Route 28 in South Yarmouth. 

Yarmouth Police 911 Dispatcher Maria Curtis advised responding officers that the manager and a fellow employee of the motel had witnessed the suspects fleeing the scene in a green Saturn and were following them eastbound on Route 28. Massachusetts State Police and Dennis Police overheard the radio broadcast and stopped the vehicle on Highbank Road in Dennis near the Old Bass River Road intersection.

Yarmouth Police Patrol Investigator Philip Magnuson and Patrol Officers Michael Zontini and Justin Haire conducted an on-scene investigation that determined that the front door of the room had been kicked in and that the suspects fled on foot and jumped into the waiting green Saturn.  Two men in the stopped vehicle were identified as the suspects and they were placed under arrest and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters.

Both suspects, Richard M. Mullins, 20, of Upper County Road in Dennis and Andrew T. Laverty, 21, of Erin Lane in Hyannis, were booked at Yarmouth Police Headquarters and scheduled for arraignment in the Barnstable District Court Tuesday morning.  Both men were charged with Felony Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime and Felony Malicious Destruction of Property.

Release and mugshots courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

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Multiple offense drunk driver crashes and is captured by Police K9 Unit in Yarmouth; Harwich Police respond to 165 weekend calls including one OUI; Two arrests in Truro

Multiple offense drunk driver crashes and is captured by Police K9 Unit

   Mark Carlson Sprague, arrested on multiple charges including OUI Liquor 4th Offense.

WEST YARMOUTH - On Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 1:37 a.m., Yarmouth Police Detective Russell Giammarco noticed a suspicious vehicle stopped in a business area with its interior light on at the end of Townbrook Road Extension in West Yarmouth with a male and female seated inside.  As Detective Giammarco drove closer, the vehicle suddenly drove off at a high rate of speed south on Townbrook Road Extension.

Detective Giammarco activated his unmarked police cruiser emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the vehicle.  The vehicle did not stop and continued to travel southbound across Buck Island Road and on to Townbrook Road heading towards Route 28 at speeds between 50 and 60 miles per hour in a posted 30 mile per hour speed limit zone. Detective Giammarco temporarily lost sight of the vehicle and fellow Yarmouth Police Patrol Officer Melissa Alden quickly located it crashed on the front lawn of DiParma’s Restaurant at the intersection of Route 28 and Townbrook Road. 

The vehicle in question—a green minivan—had apparently travelled directly across Route 28 over the granite curb and up onto the front lawn of the restaurant causing severe damage to the front end and undercarriage of the vehicle and landscaping. A female passenger was located standing nearby the vehicle and witnesses reported that the driver had fled on foot eastbound on Route 28.  The passenger was identified as Laura Gorman who reported that it was her ex-boyfriend, Mark Sprague, who had been operating her van. Ms. Gorman has minor injuries to her right arm and members of the Yarmouth Fire Department were called to the scene for emergency examination and treatment.

Under the direction of Yarmouth Police Patrol Sergeant John K. Fallon the immediate area was secured and a search was initiated for the suspect.  Yarmouth Police Officers George Tsoukalas, Melissa Alden, and K9 Patrol Officer Mark Thibeault and his partner Clark conducted a coordinated track starting from the driver’s door of the van.  Clark categorized the odor and immediately began tracking southeast of the restaurant and subsequently located the suspect hiding under heavy brush on the property of the nearby Cove Resort complex. The suspect, Mark Carlson Sprague, 30, of Prospect Avenue in West Yarmouth, was placed in custody and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters. Sprague was charged with the following:

• Felony OUI Liquor 4th Offense
• Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Personal Injury
• 2 Counts Failure to Stop for a Stop Sign
• Failure to Stop for a Police Officer
• Operating to Endanger
• Operating with a Revoked Registration
• Speeding

He was held overnight and transported to the Barnstable District Court for arraignment this morning.

Release and mugshot courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

Harwich Police respond to 165 call in the course of a weekend

Calls include eight car crashes, two arrests

HARWICH - From 8 a.m. Friday, June 26th to 8 a.m.  Monday, June 29th, the Harwich Police responded to 165 calls for service.  Among the calls were eight motor vehicle crashes and three disturbances. 

Four people will face a variety of criminal charges.  Below are two of the subjects who were arrested.  Two other subjects were issued criminal applications to appear in court at a later date.

Amanda Viera of Crestwood Lane in Dennisport was arrested on Sunday, June 28 on Division Street in West Harwich by Officer Aram Goshgarian on a Default Warrant for Motor Vehicle Violations.

Anne Flaherty of Lower County Road in Harwichport was arrested on Monday, June 29th on Headwaters Drive in Harwich by Sgt. John Sullivan for OUI (Liquor), Negligent Operation of a Vehicle, Possession of Mace without an FID Card, Failure to Yield to Right of Way and Marked Lanes Violations.

Release & mugshots courtesy of the Harwich Police Department.

Two arrests in Truro this past week

TRURO - The Truro Police Department responded to over 175 calls during the period of June 22 through June 28 including reports of suspicious activity and threats.  Two arrests were made during this period:

Officers arrested Courtney Alfanso Bogle, 53, of North Truro on Route 6 in North Truro for Assault and Battery and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.

Officers arrested Meredith Leigh Spearance, 24, of Shelburne, MA, on Route 6 at Stott's Circle in North Truro for Speeding, Suspended License, Refusing to Identify One's Self to an Officer While Operating a Motor Vehicle.

Release courtesy of the Truro Police Department.

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Flowers for Cassandra Flynn-Rakos, 21

The floral tributes begain yesterday at the scene of the fatal Bourne Accident

By early yeaterday, flowers begain being placed at the scene of a fatal accident on County Road in Bourne, Monday afternoon (06-29-09).

Cassandra Flynn-Rakos, 21, of Bourne was killed in the single vehicle crash and two other 21 year-olds seriously injured. See the accident report here. (Photo by David G. Curran)

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Busy weekend for Chatham Police: B & E; Perv on bike path

Chatham Police arrest male for disorderly conduct near public restrooms

On Saturday, June 27, 2009 at around 3:22 pm, Chatham Police responded to complaints of a male acting suspiciously in the area of a public rest room.  The public restroom is located along the Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike path, in the area of White’s Pond, Wilfred Road, Chatham.

Witnesses described a semi-clothed male attempting to look into a public restroom.  On arrival police located the male matching the descriptions behind the restroom.  When police approached, the male fled on foot.  After a brief foot pursuit, Officer William G. Massey and Brian J. Skinner placed the male under arrest.  He was identified as Mark Hamlyn (right), 53, of Run Hill Road in Brewster.  Mr. Hamlyn has been charged with Disorderly Conduct and a Chatham Town By-Law Violation.

Mr. Hamlyn was found guilty of Indecent Exposure and Open and Gross Lewdness in 1998 in the town of Brewster. He was found guilty of Indecent Exposure in 1995 in Brewster.

The Chatham Police Department is asking the public to contact Officer William Massey or Detective Louis Malzone at 508-945-1217, if they have had any suspicious contact with Mark Hamlyn along the Chatham (Cape Cod Rail Trail) Bike Path.

Release courtesy of the Chatham Police Department. 

Four arrested during daytime housebreak in Chatham

CHATHAM - On Saturday, June 27, 2009 around 12:53 p.m., Chatham Police Officers arrested four suspects during a daytime housebreak.

Officer Joshua S. Wisniewski was on patrol when he observed signs of activity at a Morris Island Road residence known to be vacant.  As he approached the home, Officer Wisniewski observed persons attempting to flee the residence.  The residence was surrounded and officers located four male suspects inside.  The four suspects, listed below, were arrested and taken into custody:

• Julien S. Collins, 23, of  Main Street, Chatham (right)
• A 16-year-old juvenile, of Wellesley
• A 15-year old juvenile, of Chatham
• A 16-year-old juvenile, of North Easton

All were charged with Breaking and Entering (Daytime) with Intent to Commit a Felony.  The 16-year-old from North Easton was also charged with Possession of Marijuana.

All four were scheduled to be arraigned in Orleans District Court Monday.

Release courtesy of the Chatham Police Department.

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Fatal car crash in Bourne; Dennis overpass update; Nantucket pharmacy break-in

Fatal car crash in Bourne

BOURNE - A rear passenger, Cassandra Flynn, 21, of Bourne, was killed and three were injured in a single vehicle accident on County Road in Bourne, Monday morning around 1:30 a.m. after the Porsche in which they were traveling struck a tree head-on.  It was raining at the time of the accident. All of the victims are believed to be in their early twenties.

Bourne Police confirmed at the scene of the accident that it was one of the victim’s 21st birthday today. All of the victims are believed to have been at a local bar/ restaurant in Bourne (The Courtyard Restaurant- Rt. 28A) prior to the crash.

Mutual aid ambulances were requested from Falmouth and Wareham.

Photos and video by David G. Curran.

Dennis Route 134 overpass traffic advisory

SOUTH DENNIS - During the week of June 29th the overpass on Route 134 at the Route 6 interchange will be paved beginning on Monday morning at about 6:30 a.m.  The paving should last throughout the day.  Motorist are advised to avoid the area, if at all possible, by seeking alternate routes.

Roadwork will continue on the overpass on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday which at times may cause minor delays.

This should complete the roadwork on the Route 134 overpass.

Release courtesy of the Dennis Police Department.

Nantucket pharmacy break-in

NANTUCKET - On Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 3:58 a.m., the Nantucket Police received a report of two white males in masks at the rear door of Dan's Pharmacy at 7 Bayberry Court. The reporting party said the men fled the scene after their encounter. A short time later, the pharmacy's alarm company told police that the burglar alarm had been activated. 

When officers arrived at the scene, they found the door had been forced open and seven bags of prescription drugs were discovered on the floor near the customer service desk.

Detectives were called in to assist with the investigation. Two suspects were identified and arrested. A burglarious tool (a Hallagan bar or prying tool) and gloves were found on the side of the road leading to the residence of one of the suspects.

The suspects, Scott Pearl, 36, of 36 Sparks Avenue and and Jason Schell, 32, of 2 Helens Drive, were both charged with Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime to Commit a Felony and Possession of a Burglarious Tool. Schell was also charged with Resisting Arrest and Intimidating a Witness.

Release courtesy of the Nantucket Police Department.

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