Cape Wide News

Sandwich rollover; Yarmouth crash; Smoke evacuates Yarmouth hotel

Route 6 rollover seriously injures driver
SANDWICH - Rescuers had to extricate the driver of a rollover crash on Route 6 late Thursday evening. A vehicle rolled over on the eastbound side near Exit 3 around 10:30 p.m.  The driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital and was reportedly suffering from a significant head injury.  The State Police are investigating this crash as well as a second crash that occurred at the same spot while the first was being cleaned up.  There were no serious injuries as a result of the second crash.

Driver seriously injured in car vs pole

YARMOUTH - A Saab crashed into a pole just East of Willow Street on Route 6A  shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday causing extensive damage to the car and sending the driver to Cape Cod Hospital with what were described as serious but non-life threatening injuries. Yarmouth Police are investigating the crash. Photo by Richard Copley.

Smoke forces evacuation of oceanfront hotel
YARMOUTH - Just after 9 a.m. Thursday morning, the Ocean Club on South Shore Drive in South Yarmouth was evacuated when alarms sounded and smoke spread through the building.  A full response from the Yarmouth Fire Department confirmed the presence of smoke and  the issue was resolved.  It was not determined what caused the smoke and guests were allowed to return to the building once it was cleared.  Story by Richard Copley.

Cape Police mark Peace Officer's Police Memorial Day
YARMOUTH - Cape Police Departments are marked Peace Officer's Memorial Day Thursday. In 1962 President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officer's Memorial Day.  The calendar week in which May 15 falls is National Police Week.

The men and women of the Yarmouth Police Department are honoring National Police Memorial Day today by wearing black and blue mourning bands over their badges as a tribute to the 18,000 Police Officers who have given their lives in the service and protection of their fellow citizens.

A special roll call ceremony was held this morning honoring fellow Yarmouth Patrol Officer Bradford M. Erickson who was killed in the line of duty on December 1, 2000.

On average during the last 10 years in the United States:

• 167 Police Officers were killed in the line of duty each year
• 57,558 Police Officers were attacked in the line of duty each year
• 16, 219 Police Officers were injured in the line of duty each year

Public Law 103-322 designates that all government agencies, businesses, and residents are required to fly their flags at half staff on May15.

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Tanker rollover in Harwich; Pedestrian struck in Bourne; Sandwich drug bust

Top story: Tanker rollover in Harwich

   ^{A tanker truck carrying heating oil overturned onto a pickup truck. The pickup driver was seriously injured.}
HARWICH - A Cape Cod Oil tanker truck overturned at the intersection of Lothrop Avenue and Great Western Road just before 3 p.m. Wednesday. The truck was carrying 10,500 gallons of home heating oil. Early reports said gasoline was involved which would have been much more of an explosive hazard.

The tanker rolled on top of a pickup truck and it is reported that the driver of the pickup 35-year old Matthew Eaton of Centerville (middle right) was seriously injured and had to be extricated from the vehicle and transported to Cape Cod Hospital. 

The oil truck driver 64-year old Steven Colley (right) of Eastham was also injured and taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non-life threatening injuires. Firefighters built a dike out of sand to direct the steady leak of oil  from the scene.  Traffic was being completely detoured away from the area. 

A 2nd alarm as well as a tier 2 hazmat response brought in additional apparatus, manpower and foam from several towns including the Barnstable Municipal Airport crash truck used to foam down airplane crashes. A

round 7 p.m . officials ordered NStar to cut power to the main distribution lines that span over the crash scene as a precaution while clean up operations entered a critical stage.

This caused a major power outage in the elbow area of the Cape for a time. Power in the immediate area was not restored until around midnight.

The wreckage was finally pulled from the road around 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

Clean up operations will continue for some time. Harwich Police are continuing to investigate the crash. (Click here for slide show).
Photos by Jake O'Callaghan.

Pedestrian struck in Bourne
BOURNE - A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a car in the Buzzards Bay East Rotary around 4:10 p.m. Wednesday.  The victim, 78-year-old Henry Graham, was taken to Tobey Hospital in Wareham with injuries considered not life-threatening. The driver of the car was identified as 52-year-old Linda O'Brien of Sandwich.  Bourne Police are investigating.

Three arrested in Sandwich drug raid
SANDWICH - Three people were arrested on drug charges following a raid Tuesday on an Artisan Way home in Sandwich which netted police 800 percocet pills, marijuana, a .9mm handgun, double edge knives and $6,000 in cash. 26-year-old Jason Green of Sandwich was charged with possession with intent to distribute Class B & D and unlawful possession of a firearm. 25-year-old Donald St. Marie, also of  Sandwich, was charged with possession of Class D and possession of a dangerous weapon  (2 counts). 22-year-old Nicole Greene of Yarmouth was charged with possession of Class D.

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Device in Brewster; Daytime break in Hyannis; Dennis HAZMAT; Centerville crash; New details on Chatham break

Top story: Suspicious "Devices" found in Brewster home

     Officials gather outside a Brewster home after "devices" were discovered in the basement.

BREWSTER – An explosive discovery in a Brewster home forces the evacuation of several neighbors making for some anxious moments. Brewster Police say at approximately 4:30 p.m. Tuesday the they received a telephone call regarding a suspicious device found in the basement of a residence on Colonial Way in Brewster.  

Upon initial investigation it was determined that the device in question could be potentially explosive.  The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was notified and they responded to the residence.  The State Police were accompanied by members of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Prior to entering the residence, Brewster Fire and Brewster Police officials evacuated several residents from surrounding homes and closed side streets in the area.  Due to the proximity of the Harwich town line, the Harwich Police and Fire Departments assisted in the investigation.

At the residence a quantity of hazardous devices were located in the basement area.  The State Police Bomb Squad was able to render the devices safe and then dispose of them.  Several explosions could reportedly be heard around midnight as the items were detonated. The Massachusetts State Police and the Brewster Police Department are investigating whether or not any criminal charges will be filed in this case.

The “all clear” was given, and residents were allowed to return to their homes at approximately 3:00 a.m. Photo by Jake O'Callaghan. Map courtesy of Mapquest.

Suspects sought in daylight B&E at occupied home

    A county technician photographs evidence allegedly dropped by two suspects who broke into an occupied house in broad daylight.
HYANNIS - At around 10 a.m. Tuesday, multiple Barnstable Police units responded to a 911 call from a family on Fisher Road in Hyannis reporting that 2 males had broken into their home while the family was there. The suspects had fled on foot by the time police arrived, but had apparently dropped some evidence on the lawn of a home three doors down at the corner of Bumpus Road.  A sheriff's county investigation officer (CIO) was called to collect evidence and photograph the scene. A Barnstable Police K-9 officer was also called to try and track the suspects but the track was lost a short distance away.  Several possible suspects who fit the description were stopped in the Center Street, Willow Street and Bearse's Way area. None of the occupants of the home were injured. Story and photos by Frank Paparo.

Insecticide spill triggers HAZMAT response in Dennis

    Deputy Kelleher and Captain Tucker prepare to clean up the an insecticide spill.
DENNIS - The Dennis Fire Department was called out to 11 Ronda Lane early Tuesday afternoon to investigate what was first reported as the odor of gas. A quick investigation revealed that the source of the odor was Malathion, spilled on the cellar floor when an electrician working on a renovation project accidentally knocked over an 8-ounce bottle of the insecticide. The electrician reportedly suffered some weakness and dizziness but did not require treatment.

Upon determining the nature of the incident, Dennis Fire Lt. Tony Kent called for a Tier 1 HAZMAT response, the lowest of level of the three-tier system. Local HAZMAT technician, Deputy Robert Kelleher of the Yarmouth Fire Department responded to the scene. He and Dennis Fire Inspector Captain Robert Tucker donned air packs and used "speedy dry" to soak up the noxious liquid. The Dennis Fire Department secured from the scene shortly after 5:30 p.m. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will make the final determination of mitigation measures.

According to Wikipedia, Malathion is an organophosphate of relatively low human toxicity. It has been widely used against pests such as the Mediterranean Fruit Fly and mosquitoes. Story and photos by Kevin Morley.

Car vs SUV in front of Centerville Plaza (again)

   A car broadsided an SUV on Route 28 in front of the Centerville Plaza, the scene of numerous crashes.

CENTERVILLE - At 2:15 p.m. Tuesday Centerville (COMM) Fire and Barnstable Police received a 911 call for a car vs SUV crash at the exit of the Centerville Plaza on Route 28 in Centerville. This area, between Phinney's Lane and Old Stage Road, is the scene of almost weekly crashes where the road was widened from 2 lanes to 4. This is also the same area where Yarmouth Police Officer Brad Erickson was killed while working a road detail during construction when a dump truck accidentally backed over him.  An investigation determined the truck did not have functioning backup beepers.

Onlookers at the plaza said something should be done before someone else gets killed. In Tuesday's crash a Ford Explorer was apparently making a left out of the Plaza toward Hyannis, when a Pontiac Sunfire convertible traveling in the fast lane, toward Old Stage  Road struck the Ford broadside, buckling the front tire on the driver's side of the SUV and crumpling the Pontiac's front end in the process. One of the officials at the scene commented that left turns out of the plaza should be prohibited, but a plaza business owner said it was likely a "no left turns" sign would be ignored by drivers.  Another witness suggested that had the SUV been a small car instead, the crash could have been much more serious.  The fast lane was blocked for an hour until the flatbeds came to remove both vehicles.  Both drivers were checked at the scene and treated but were not transported to Cape Cod Hospital. Story and photos by Frank Paparo.

CWN follow up: new information on Chatham B&E
CHATHAM - There are new details on a story reported first on Cape Wide News. Chatham Police say that Monday afternoon around 2:30 p.m., they received a call from a local contractor who was painting at 44 Ocean View Terrace.  The contractor reportedly noticed an unknown male leave the property and get into a vehicle. The contractor notified police and followed the vehicle. Chatham Police located the vehicle a short distance away at the Chatham Fish Pier on Shore Road. When police arrived, the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. Chatham Police arrested the vehicle operator 18-year-old Kristin T. Hark of Harwich for breaking and entering. After a short pursuit/search, police located the male passenger in the rear of a residence on Old Harbor Road. The passenger, a 16-year-old juvenile from, Harwichport was charged with breaking and entering, resisting arrest, and possession of marijuana.  Hark was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Orleans District Court. Chatham Police wish to acknowledge the assistance of the Orleans and Harwich Police Departments, the Barnstable County Sheriff's Department, and the Chatham Harbormaster's Office. Chatham Police are currently investigating the connection between the suspects and the location of the housebreak.

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B&E suspect nabbed in Chatham; Dennis kidnapping, burglary, car break-ins; wind advisory issued

New overnight: Fire damages house in Falmouth
FALMOUTH - Fire damaged a home in Falmouth early Tuesday morning. Firefighters responded to 19 Amvets Road just after 2 a.m. to find fire on the outside of the home. The blaze was quickly knocked down and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Further details were not immediately available.

B&E suspect nabbed in Chatham
CHATHAM - A suspect wanted in connection with a reported break-in near the Chatham Fish Pier is in custody. Chatham Police, assisted by the Coast Guard, harbormaster and Sheriff's Department, had set up a perimeter around the scene for a K-9 dog to track when an officer spotted the suspect in a backyard on Old Harbor Road. He was taken into custody without incident.  Further details were not immediately available. See update here.

Police seek man for home invasion, kidnapping
DENNIS - There are new details on a story reported first at Cape Wide News. Dennis Police say at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Sunday they responded to a 911 call from a father reporting that his daughter had been assaulted and taken from their residence located off Route 6A in Dennis Village.

An investigation revealed that sometime after midnight on May 11th, an unknown male subject had entered the unlocked residence and woke the  sleeping teenage girl by covering her mouth with his hand. The suspect then told the victim that he had a knife and would harm her and her family, if she did not comply with his demands.

The victim was then forcibly taken from the residence and lead to a nearby location where she was assaulted.  At that time the victim was able to talk the suspect into letting her go and she immediately returned to her residence and woke her parents.

The victim was treated for injuries not considered life-threatening.

The suspect was described as a white male, between 5'6"-5'9", medium build, believed to be in his late 20s or 30s and unshaven. He was wearing a dark colored fleece outer garment, light colored pants and a dark colored mask.

An unlocked vehicle owned by the victim's family, which was parked in the driveway of the residence, had also been entered and some medication was taken.

In addition to the victim, the residence was occupied by four family members at the time of the incident.

Dennis Police were assisted in the investigation by Yarmouth Police Officer Marc Thibeault and his K-9 dog Clark and Barnstable County Sheriff's Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call Det. Sgt. Ben Wunderlich at 774-352-1433 or the Dennis Police tipline at 774-352-1500.

Dennis Police investigate breaking and entering
DENNIS -At approximately 11:50 p.m. on Sunday, Dennis Police responded to a residence located in the Cedar Hill Road area of East Dennis for a report of a breaking and entering which had just occurred at the residence.

The victim, an elderly female, told police that she had woken to the sound of movement inside her bedroom.  She further stated that she then observed the outline of a person fleeing from her bedroom, followed shortly thereafter by the sound of a vehicle starting nearby and speeding away from the area.

The victim told police that upon checking her residence, she found that a pocketbook, containing a small amount of cash and personal papers, was missing from her bedroom.

The police found that a rear unlocked door had been used to enter the house.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call Det. Sgt. Ben Wunderlich at 774-352-1433 or the Dennis Police tipline at 774-352-1500.

Dennis Police investigate rash of car B&Es
DENNIS - Dennis Police are investigating thirteen car breaks which occurred overnight (Saturday, May 10th into Sunday morning May 11th, 2008) in the Chadwick and Pheasant Lane area of South Dennis.

All of the vehicles were unlocked at the time of the breaks and items taken included two radar detectors, a GPS, satellite radio, CD player and a laptop computer.

Anyone with information concerning these incidents is asked to call the Dennis Police Department at 508-394-1315 or the tipline at 774-352-1500.

Dennis Police Kick Off Click It or Ticket Enforcement Mobilization
DENNIS - The Dennis Police Department announced today it is joining with hundreds of other law enforcement agencies across the country in renewing a pledge to save lives by intensifying efforts to enforce seat belt laws - among all motorists and around the clock - during the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization, which runs from May 14 - June 4.

In 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15,046 passenger vehicle occupants were killed between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of those killed at night were NOT wearing seat belts - compared to less than half (46%) of the passenger vehicle occupants killed during daytime hours.

Along with nighttime motorists, men - particularly young men - are among those less likely to buckle up. In 2006, 73 percent of male passenger vehicle occupants between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes were NOT wearing seat belts.

In fact, all young people are at greatly increased risk. Sixty-four percent of teenage passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes during 2006 were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of the crashes. And the 2006 observed seat belt usage rate of those 16 to 24 was lower than any other age group.

"With 18 percent of all Americans failing to buckle up regularly, it's clear that far too many people still don't take belt laws seriously," Chief of Police Michael Whalen said. Among some groups, especially young men, the unbuckled rate is especially high - and the fatal crash rate increases significantly at night. So look for us to be out on the streets day and night from mid-May through June 4th making sure that everyone is buckled up."

Chief Whalen said, "Worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 45 percent for front-seat passenger vehicle occupants and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs, and minivans. In fact, data shows that more than three-quarters (77%) of passenger vehicle occupants who were in a serious crash in 2006 and were buckled up survived the crash."

Increased law enforcement activities will be conducted nationwide during the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization. Paid national advertising, as well as State advertising, will support the mobilization by promoting the life-saving benefits of regular seat belt use, especially nighttime belt use, to all motorists.

"Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities. And high-visibility enforcement is effective at getting people to buckle up," said Chief Whalen. "Wearing your seat belt is easy and it costs you nothing. Not wearing it might cost you a ticket, or worse - your life. I urge everyone in Dennis to please be safe and buckle up day and night - Click It or Ticket."

To learn more about the Click It or Ticket campaign and the lifesaving benefits of wearing your seat belt, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.

CWN weather alert: Wind advisory in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday.  A powerful nor'easter will pass south of Cape Cod but come close enough to freshen northeast winds 30-35 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH possible.

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Citizens help nab armed man; Brewster crash; Pedestrian struck in Bourne; Street blocked after strange odor; Fingers severly lacerated

Power knocked out in Centerville
CENTERVILLE - Power was knocked out in a portion of Centerville around 11 p.m. Sunday. NStar equipment apparently malfunctioned and caught fire on a pole on Lumbert Mill Road. Crews were able to restore most power in about two hours.

Citizens thwart armed robber

    Police standby outside a Hyannis church as parishioners resume praying after a man tried to rob the collection plate at gunpoint.
HYANNIS - It was a dramatic scene in Hyannis Sunday evening. Witnesses apparently saw a man with a gun allegedly attempting to rob the collection plate at the Hyannis Portuguese Foursquare Church at 298 Main Street while services were in progress. Several citizens jumped into action tackling the man and holding him until police arrived. Luckily it turned out the gun was a replica and no one was injured. 45-year-old Clyde Bridges of Hyannis was arrested and charged with armed robbery while masked. He'll be arraigned Monday in Barnstable District Court. Photo by Frank Paparo.

Truck vs. Tree in Brewster

     The driver of this pickup truck lost control headed east on Satucket Road.
WEST BREWSTER - Around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, a GMC Sonoma pickup truck headed east on Satucket Road in the vicinity of Wintergreen Lane was involved in a one-vehicle crash that sent the driver to Cape Cod Hospital with unknown injuries. Evidence at the scene indicates that the truck ran up on the banking on the right side of the road as it exited a curve. The vehicle then came back on the roadway, crossed the center line, and ran up on the left shoulder plowing through brush and small trees. It then struck a dead pine tree just behind the driver-side door. The force of the collision snapped the top off the pine, which landed in the bed of the truck (right). The driver was the sole occupant. Brewster Police and Fire responded to the scene and an investigation is ongoing.
Story and photos by Kevin Morley.

Pedestrian struck in Buzzards Bay
BOURNE - A pedestrian was struck by a car in Buzzards Bay Sunday afternoon. It happened about 4 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Holt Street. The victim, a 10-year old boy who was skateboarding, was taken to Tobey Hospital in Wareham with injuries considered not life-threatening.  The driver of the car, 20-year-old Daniel Cardoza of Bourne, remained at the scene and will not face any charges.

Strange odor closes busy Hyannis street
HYANNIS - At around 11 a.m. Sunday Hyannis Fire responded to a call on Lewis Street that several of the employees at the Cape Cod Commercial Linen Service laundry saw some haze and light smoke and smelled what they described as an acid smell, from a private drain in the parking lot (not town drain) on Lewis Street . Hyannis Firefighters called for police to bring orange cones to the scene and block off Lewis Street at Baxter Road and at Bearses Road behind the Cumberland Farms off Barnstable Road. The FD also called for Barnstable health and building inspectors to respond to the scene. The street remained closed for a couple of hours until officials determined the source was from the commercial laundry. A quantity of a bleach like substance sodium-chlorite apparently reacted with water. No injuries were reported. A large truck was on scene into the afternoon working to check and clean up the situation. Story by Frank Paparo.

Man taken to CCH after severely cutting fingers
MASHPEE - A man was taken to CCH after severely cutting his fingers. The victim arrived at the Mashpee Fire HQ shortly after 1:30 p.m. and was transported by ambulance. Its not clear how the accident happened.

Alarm system saves Yarmouth home from major blaze

YARMOUTH - An alarm system alerted firefighters to a fire at 24 Rebecca Lane about 11 a.m. Sunday morning. They discovered an aquarium had caught fire. The fire was quickly put out. There was smoke damage but without the alarm the house may well have been gutted. No one was injured. 

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Dennis home invasion; Pedestrian critically injured in Eastham; Speed blamed for Ptown crash; CO scare in West Barnstable; wicked wreck in Hyannisport; Harwich water rescue

Developing story: Home invasion reported in Dennis
DENNIS - Dennis Police are searching for a suspect who reportedly forced his way into a home at knife point and assaulted a woman early Sunday morning. We'll bring you further details as we get them from the Dennis Police Department.

Top story: Pedestrian critically injured in Eastham

     Investigators check a Toyota Scion coupe involved in a pedestrian crash on Rt. 6 in Eastham.
EASTHAM - A pedestrian was critically injured after being struck by a car on Route 6 in Eastham early Sunday morning. The crash happened about 1:30 a.m. in front of the Tedeschi's Food Mart in Eastham Center. Medflight was not available because of weather conditions so the victim 21-year old Justin Kiklis of Eastham was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the Toyota Scion coupe 22-year old Erik Jodko of Truro stayed at the scene and was interviewed by police. The passenger side of the car's front windshield was smashed from the impact.  The Cape Cod Regional Accident Reconstruction Team was on scene investigating. In the bottom right an object can be seen in the highway (far right) that is believed to be the victim's shoe. Story and photos by Tim Caldwell.

Speed blamed for Provincetown crash

PROVINCETOWN - Three young women were lucky to escape injury after crashing their car in Provincetown about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Police reportedly noticed a vehicle entering town on Route 6 at a high rate of speed. By the time officers turned around, they discovered the driver of  a Cadillac Catera had apparently failed to negotiate a curve onto Race Point Road and struck a guardrail. The three young women were evaluated at the scene by EMTs. The driver was reportedly cited for speeding and other motor vehicle offenses. Story and photos by Tim Caldwell.

Nine treated for carbon monoxide exposure
WEST BARNSTABLE - Nine people were treated for exposure to potentially deadly carbon monoxide fumes and are lucky to be alive. Rescuers had to respond by four-wheel-drive vehicle to a cabin on Sandy Neck around 9:45 p.m. Saturday evening. Reports say a charcoal grill used inside the cabin caused the colorless, odorless gas to build up. Fortunately, all nine are expected to fully recover. Further details were not immediately available.

Car's wheels torn off in Hyannisport crash Saturday

HYANNISPORT - At 5 p.m. Saturday Barnstable Police and the Hyannis Fire Department responded to a car vs a pole in Hyannisport at Massachusetts Avenue and Scudder Avenue.

The Saturn sedan's front was destroyed and the front tires torn off. The pole was dented and some wood was torn off.

The Hyannis Fire Department extricated the woman from the vehicle and transported her to Cape Cod Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The Hyannisport bound lane of Scudder Avenue was blocked for one hour until the County CIO could come to photograph the scene and a flatbed could remove the car.  Photos by Frank Paparo.

Plane blows tire upon landing
HYANNIS - A Cessna 402 blew a tire upon landing at Barnstable Municipal Airport about 6:15 p.m. Saturday evening. It was not immediately clear which airline was involved. No injuries or other damage was reported.

Couple rescued after drifting into Nantucket Sound

     A Harwich rescue boat approaches a couple adrift and headed out to sea Saturday.
HARWICH - At 2:30 p.m. Saturday a young couple was spotted drifting in a small boat off Pleasant Road Beach. The Harwich Fire Department responded in Marine 76 and was able to rescue the couple who were approximately two miles off shore by the time the rescue boat reached them. Strong wind gusts pushed them out into Nantucket Sound. They are seen here obviously relieved and thankful (right) arriving back at Wixon Dock where they were treated for exposure. They did not have life jackets in their boat. Coast Guard officials have issued warnings that even though it has been warmer, the water is still dangerously cold.

Photos by Jake O'Callaghan.

Reward offered for info on post office break in
FALMOUTH - A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest for those responsible for breaking into the Waquoit Post Office sometime last weekend. Officials refused to say what if anything was taken. Tampering with the mails is a federal offense with stiff penalties. Anyone with information is urged to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455 or inspector John Kehoe at (401) 276-3962.

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1 seriously injured in Hyannis crash; Arrest after weekend crime spree

Storm knocks out Power in Dennis
DENNIS - Friday rainy weather is apparently to blame for a late evening power outage which affected the Dennis area. Initial reports are a tree impacted some wires. NStar crews were working on the situation and restored most of the service quickly but the immediate area was out for about 3 hours. The outage caused some problems at the new Dennis Police station when the emergency generator apparently failed to come on after the power went out. According to reports the outage temporarily trapped some personnel in a secure part of the station and the fire department was considering bringing in a ladder truck to extricate them when NStar was able to restore street power to the facility. Further details were not immediately available.

One seriously injured in Hyannis crash

    ^{Three people were injured in this head-on crash on Route 28 in Hyannis Saturday evening.}
HYANNIS - Three people were injured, one seriously in a head-on crash in Hyannis Friday evening. The crash happened just after 8 p.m. on Route 28 at Walton Road. A red Saturn coupe collided with a silver Chrysler 300 sedan. Two people were in the Saturn. both were taken to Cape Cod Hospital, one with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Chrysler was also taken to CCH. Route 28 was closed for a time while officials worked to clear the wreckage. The crash is under investigation by Barnstable Police. Photos by Frank Paparo.

Arrest made after weekend crime spree
ORLEANS - A South Yarmouth man was arraigned in Orleans District Court Friday morning on charges he broke into two buildings at Nauset Beach, and shot out several automobile windows, including several school buses over the weekend of May 3rd. 23-year-old Shaune Crecco was arrested Thursday evening by Orleans and State Police after a joint town and county investigation connected him to the crimes. Charges are also pending against a second man, who is not being identified until he is formally charged. Crecco, was held overnight at the Barnstable House of Correction in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, as well as a parole detainer warrant.

Orleans Officers on routine patrol on May 3 discovered broken windows at the Liam's Snack Shack and the Administration building for Parks and Beaches. Further investigation revealed the buildings had been broken into. Officer David Freiner requested the Barnstable County Sheriff's office to assist in collecting evidence, and was soon joined by forensics specialist Sean Percy. Also that night, several windows of three school buses parked at the Orleans Elementary school were shot with a BB gun, as well as a school bus parked at the Family School in Brewster. Based on the forensic evidence collected at the Nauset Beach crime scene, police were able tie the crimes to Crecco and an arrest warrant was executed. The BB gun used in the crime spree was recovered. Crecco initially refused to cooperate with investigators, but once presented with the evidence collected, provided new information to Detective Kevin Higgins.

Crecco was arraigned on two counts of breaking and entering in the night with intent to commit a felony, and malicious destruction of property over $250.00. With new information gathered, additional charges are pending in Orleans. The towns of Brewster, Dennis and Yarmouth are also investigating incidents within their jusridictions.
Mugshot furnished by OPD.

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Hyannis OUI arrest; Yarmouth crash; Burglar surprised in Yarmouth, Two arrested in Falmouth drug bust; Stormy night ahead

Woman arrested for OUI in store lot
HYANNIS - At 12:15 p.m. today the Barnstable Police responded to calls for a woman laying face down in front of the UPS store in the Festival Plaza on Route 132 in Hyannis.  Hyannis EMTs evaluated the woman and police took her into custody. Several eyewitnesses and a store worker said they saw the woman driving erratically in the lot and watched her pull into a parking space at high speed; luckily only tapping the bumper of the car in front of her. She then reportedly got out of the car stumbling and fell in front of the UPS store.  She was arrested for OUI,  operating with a revoked license and operating an unregistered/uninsured vehicle. Story by Frank Paparo.

Two-vehicle crash in Yarmouth
YARMOUTH - At 10:20 a.m. Thursday morning two cars crashed at the intersection of Buck Island Road and Winslow Grey Road in West Yarmouth, shutting down traffic in both directions at the busy intersection. One person was transported to Cape Cod Hospital by Yarmouth Fire Department with injuries considered not life-threatening. Yarmouth Police are investigating the crash.   Heavy rain was falling at the time, but it is not known if the weather was a factor.  Story by Richard Copley.

Burglar surprised in Yarmouth
YARMOUTH - Occupants of a residence on Antlers Road got quite a shock early Thursday morning. They heard noises around 1:40 a.m. and discovered a man crawling out the bathroom window.  Despite a police search of the area the suspect got away.  Technicians checked for fingerprints.  The perpetrator was apparently frightened by the occupants and fled the scene without taking anything.

Two arrested in Falmouth drug bust
FALMOUTH - After a month long investigation, Falmouth Police and the Cape Cod Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 143A King Street in Falmouth and arrested two people.  25-year-old Kevin Jay Matheme and 21-year-old Hayden M. Flanagan, both of Falmouth, were charged with possession and distribution of cocaine and marijuana.

CWN Weather alert: Wind advisory in effect from 4 p.m. Friday through noon Saturday. A late season nor'easter will affect the region Friday evening into Saturday with rain heavy at times and northeast winds gusting to 50 MPH.

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Barnstable assistant building inspector arrested in stolen coin case; Falmouth church fire suspicious; Eastham, Centerville blazes; Smoke from island blaze overspreads Cape

Top story: Assistant Barnstable building inspector arrested in stolen coin case

     Police carry out boxes believed to contain stolen coins from the home of John LeBoeuf.
BARNSTABLE - An Assistant building inspector in the town of Barnstable was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with receiving stolen property.

Barnstable Police tell CWN 47-year old John "Jackie" LeBoeuf of Hyannis was arrested for receiving stolen property.

Police alleged LeBoeuf (middle right) was in possession of a large quantity of stolen foreign coins. The coins are believed to be part of an extensive collection stolen from an Eastham residence in May of 2004.

The collection is valued over $12,000. Police executed a search warrant at LeBoeuf's home Wednesday morning and recovered a large quantity of coins believed to be from the Eastham housebreak.

Barnstable Police say to date that no information has been developed to indicate LeBoeuf was involved in any criminal activity related to stolen property during work hours.

This is the second time Barnstable Police have recovered some of the stolen Eastham collection.

On December 15, 2004 Barnstable Detectives executed a search warrant at the home of George Upton and recovered a box of coins stolen from the Eastham break.

At right Det. Sgt. John Murphy checks a boat at LeBoeuf's residence.

LeBoeuf was arraigned in Barnstable District Court and held on $20,000 bail.

Photos by Frank Paparo.
Mugshot furnished by BPD.

Arson suspected in Church fire
FALMOUTH -  Arsonists may be moving from brush to buildings on Cape Cod, officials say. The State Fire Marshal's office has labeled a fire at a Falmouth church as arson. Falmouth Fire and Police are teaming up with the State Fire Marshal's office to get to the bottom of dozens of suspicious fires. The small fire at the entryway to the rectory of the Falmouth Baptist Church early Wednesday afternoon was quickly knocked down with only minor damage.  It's the first time a building has been targeted.

The church had not received any threats, but the fire follows more than 50 brush fires, many considered to have been intentionally set. Falmouth officials are also investigating the incident.

Fires damage homes in Eastham and Centerville

     Firefighters and an occupant outside the house at 100 Five Corners Road.
CENTERVILLE - A fire that apparently started in a kitchen caused extensive damage to a home at 100 Five Corners Road shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

The occupants escaped the fire, but injuries were reported.

The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. At right, an occupant is being interviewed by police.

Story and photos by Frank Paparo.

Meanwhile in Eastham:
EASTHAM - A fire damaged a deck and rear of a home in Eastham Wednesday evening. The fire apparently started in brush behind the home about 7 p.m. and spread. Crews were able to quickly knock it down. No injuries were reported.

Smoke from island blaze spreads over Upper Cape
CAPE COD - If you noticed wood smoke, especially over the Upper Cape Wednesday afternoon, you were not alone. A fire on Nomans Land sent smoke billowing into the sky and rolling over Martha's Vineyard this afternoon. A small plume could be seen rising from the small island around 2:30 p.m. Within an hour, flames could be seen from the south shore of the Vineyard as the smoke began to cover Chilmark to Chappaquiddick. Navy officials had contacted Island law enforcement and warned them of the possibility of small fires due to a training exercise but it seems that no one was expecting that much smoke--never mind a fire that large. Within an hour the fire seemed to have burned from one end of the tiny island to the other.  Navy officials have not immediately returned calls. The plume of smoke was being carried north by the winds Wednesday afternoon and prompted numerous calls across much of the Upper Cape. Story and photo by Ezra Sherman.

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Car over cliff at Dennis beach; Hyannis crash; Unauthorized landing at Otis; Five-car crash on Phinney's Lane in Hyannis

Power out in parts of Barnstable
BARNSTABLE - Power was knocked out in parts of the town of Barnstable Wednesday morning starting around 6 a.m. NStar equipment failure was apparently to blame. Crews were able to restore full service about 2 1/2 hours later.

Top story: Car over Cliff at Sea Street Beach in Dennisport

    A Ford Taurus burst through the railing and plunged to the beach below.
DENNISPORT - A Ford Taurus sedan careened over the cliff at Sea Street Beach shortly before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Witnesses driving into the beach parking lot behind the Ford said that the car entered the parking lot and stopped.

Then the two occupants - and older man and younger man -- switched seats with the younger man taking the wheel. The car reportedly abruptly took off at a high rate of speed with squealing tires. The driver reportedly swerved to the left to avoid smashing into a small bathhouse but made no attempt to slow down.

The vehicle then hit and knocked over a concrete post and shattered the timber railing separating the parking lot from the beach some twenty feet below. It was evident from where the car landed on the beach that it did not hit the rock riprap on the way down.

Both airbags deployed and the men were bloodied by the impact but were able to extricate themselves from the car and make their way up the stairs to the parking lot. Dennis medics attended to their injuries and then transported them to Cape Cod Hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.

Personnel from North Side Auto Body arrived on scene and quickly winched the car off the beach and up the cliff.

Dennis police tell CWN the car was driver by 34-year old Artan Gjezo of Roslindale. The investigation is continuing and there is no word if any charges will be filed.

Story and photos by Kevin Morley. Bottom photo courtesy of DPD.

Crash injures one, shuts down Route 28

   This collision caused the red car to catch fire. One person was injured.

HYANNIS - At 5:45 p.m. Tuesday Hyannis Fire and Barnstable Police responded to multiple 911 calls of a 2 car crash on Route 28 at Old Strawberry Hill Road. A Pontiac Firebird and a Saturn Sedan collided. Barnstable  police arrived quickly used their fire extinguishers knock  down a fire in the Firebird. Hyannis Fire finished putting out the fire and transported one person to Cape Cod Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The westbound lane of Route 28 had to be blocked for over an hour while County Investigation Officer (CIO) arrived to take pix and the flatbeds arrived to remove the wreckage. Story and photos by Frank Paparo.

Unauthorized landing under investigation
OTIS ANG BASE - Coast Guard and Air National Guard officials are investigating what is being called an unauthorized landing at the Otis Air Force Base around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The craft, described as experimental, apparently had its canopy blow off leading the pilot to the landing. Security officials quickly surrounded the plane and insured there was no security breach at the base. Story by Aaron Bryant.

Island woman charged after crashing into house
NANTUCKET - Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a wild ride that ended with a house being struck on Nantucket. Police believe 21-year-old Amyra Chase of Cohasset and Nantucket was involved in a hit & run by the Cumberland Farms. After hitting another vehicle her Toyota 4runner is then alleged to have hit a street sign, fence and a bush before crashing into a home at 86 Pleasant Street. The family was home eating but luckily was not injured. Chase was arrested for OUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and operating negligently to endanger.

Five-car crash on Phinney's Lane in Hyannis

   This five-car crash on Phinney's Lane at Attucks Lane, shut the road down for over two hours.

HYANNIS - At 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, a five-car crash (two sedans, 2 SUVs and 1 pickup truck) occurred on Phinney's Lane near Attucks Lane in Hyannis.  The road was shut down from Attucks to Route 132 until 3 p.m.  so rescue personnel could tend to injuries and so the county CIO could take pictures and the Barnstable Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team could assess the scene.  

None of the injuries as a result of the accident were considered life-threatening.  The crash consisted of a series of rear-enders.  Barnstable Fire Department requested mutual aid from Hyannis and Yarmouth. Traffic was choked along the popular shortcut to avoid Route 132 Construction.

Another three vehicle crash stalled traffic along the Yarmouth Road/Willow Street artery during the morning commute. No serious injuries were reported.

Story and photos by Frank Paparo.

Rubbish truck hydraulic fluid spill on 6A in Dennis
DENNIS – Around 9 a.m. Tuesday a Nauset Disposal front-loader rubbish truck burst a hydraulic line as it headed west on Route 6A just before the intersection with Route 134. The driver acted quickly to pull off the highway into the Speedway gas station where the attendant called the Dennis Fire Department. The original trail of hydraulic fluid was approximately 100 yards long but with heavy morning traffic it spread rapidly even as firefighters began shoveling and brooming sand on the road surface.

The owner of the gas station brought absorbent pads to the scene to collect the fluid that had pooled behind the truck parked in the gas station lot. Fire Lt. Don Babineau called for the deployment of the Dennis Oil Pollution Response trailer with its supply of granular absorbent material. At the same time, a sanding truck from Mass Highway arrived and made several passes up and down 6A in attempt to contain the fluid, which was being carried further from the scene on vehicle tires. According to Mary Brown of Nauset Disposal, the highway was cleaned up to the satisfaction of Mass Highway officials by late morning. Fortunately, reports on the scene indicate that the fluid did not flow into any storm drains. Story by Kevin Morley.

FD car catches fire while at alarm
BOURNE - An automatic alarm at the Bourne High School Tuesday morning turned out to be false but firefighters still had to battle a fire. While investigating the alarm a fire department car burst into flames apparently due to an electrical problem. The Ford Crown Victoria was destroyed by the fire. The person who pulled the initial alarm was identified.

Truro Police, Triad, COA plan neighbor to neighbor program
TRURO - Truro Police announce a plan to enlist support and participation of all citizens on a neighborhood by  neighborhood basis during an emergency and/or severe weather event such as hurricanes or snow storms. Specific individuals would check within their designated community to identify any potential "at risk" households unable to access essential services or necessities of daily living. Such situations would be reported to the Police/Fire Departments who would respond with appropriate actions on behalf of the reported household. This program would also serve to alert emergency workers to individuals who might otherwise go unidentified in such an emergency. The project is designed to serve the entire community, all year-round and of all ages, neighborhood by neighborhood. The project is still in the planning stage as officials await maps and further assistance by individuals wishing to help in this very worthwhile project. For further information contact Lt. John Lundborn at Truro Police (508) 487-8730 or by email.

Truro Police receive bicycle helmet grant
TRURO - The Truro Police Department has received notice they will be getting 75 bicycle helmets as a result of a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety.

The Truro Police plan to distribute these helmets over the course of the summer and fall to promote safe biking, scootering and skateboarding. Over 26,000 helmets will be distributed across the state.

Check the Truro Police web site or contact Officer Carrie DeAngelo or Lt. John Lundborn at the Truro Police Department (508) 487-8730 for more information.

Yarmouth fire union sponsors annual road race
YARMOUTH - The 8th Annual Cape Cod Irish Village Road Race will be held on Saturday May 10th starting at 11:00 a.m.. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. at the Irish Village. Price is $15 day of race, $10 pre-regsitered. Post race party at the Irish Village Music, food and plenty of fun. Cash prizes to first place male/female overall. Trophies every age catagory. Great raffle prizes. Proceeds benefit the Yarmouth Fire Department union for its charity work. Further infomation from YFD is available here.

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