Police and Fire News

B&E arrests; SPS-heat & storms:

Arrests made in Yarmouth break ins
YARMOUTH - Three people have been arrested and more arrests are possible in connection with a series of recent break ins at the Flax Pond Recreation area. The break in the came when police came in contact with three subjects there on Saturday and arrested two of them for minor in possession of alcohol. Police conducted interviews and subsequently obtained a search warrant for a residence at 12 Idlewood Drive that was executed Sunday morning. Some $10,000 worth of town equipment including computers, a cash register and archery equipment was recovered. 

A five foot python snake (pictured) along with numerous fish tanks were also seized. Arrested were 42-year  old Lori Marhefka for reeceiving stolen property and 24-year old Coleen Marhefka for  receiving stolen property, B&E nighttime, larceny and vandalism, A 16-year old juvenile was also arrested for receiving stolen property, B&E nighttime, possession of marijuana and possession of a dangerous weapon. Posted on 7/31 at 3:30 PM; YPD photo.

Route 28 closed, power out in Yarmouth

Crash closes Route 28, knocks out power
YARMOUTH - Route 28 in Yarmouth was closed through the morning after a jeep slammed into a utility pole about 6 AM.

The pole laden with a transformer shattered and came down across the roadway with live wires.

This happened in the 400 block of Route 28 near the Yarmouth Gardens Motor Lodge and Cape Cod Irish Village.

Power was reported out in the area but NStar is worked to localize the outage as best as they could.

The driver is seen being carried on a stretcher to an ambulance but we are told he was not seriously injured.

The crash is under investigation by Yarmouth Police who say the driver 47-year old Norman Chausse of Hyannis spilled coffee leading to the crash. he will be cited for operating to endanger and marked lanes violation.

Posted on 7/30 at 7:00 AM; updated on 7/31 at 10:00 AM; photos courtesy R. Copley.

Man dies in Sandwich crash
SANDWICH - A man was reportedly killed in a crash in Sandwich Saturday. The crash happened on Harlow Road. Bystanders were reportedly performing CPR when rescuers arrived. The driver was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Sandwich Police are investigating. Posted on 7/30 at 9:00 PM.

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Officer attacked by prisoner

Pedestrian seriously injured in Bourne
BOURNE - A pedestrian suffered a serious head injury after being stuck by a car in Bourne late Saturday night. It happened about 11:40 on the Scenic Highway by the Bourne Scenic Campground entrance. The 18-year old victim was taken to Tobey Hospital in Wareham and then Medflighted to a Mass General Hospital in Boston. The driver Penny Coffey of Onset was not cited. Posted on 7/30 at 12:30 AM; updated on 7/31 at 10:00 AM.

Yarmouth officer attacked by prisoner
YARMOUTH - A Yarmouth police officer was injured after allegedly being attacked by a prisoner Friday. About 11 PM police responded to Beckers Package Store for a man acting disorderly. Ofc. Bradley Donahue found the man yelling at the clerk. A computer check showed 45-year old Carlos Rodriguez of Hyannis had six outstanding warrants.

During booking he reportedly became combative and was taken to Cape Cod Hospital for evaluation. At the hospital he allegedly suddenly became unruly and kicked and bit officer Donahue. Donahue was treated for a severe finger injury. Because the hospital is in the town of Barnstable, Barnstable Police were contacted and will additionally charge Rodriguez with assault & battery on a police officer and assault  & battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot). Posted on 7/29 at 4:00 PM.

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Box truck crash; painting stolen; repair scam

Crash causes box truck to rollover
FALMOUTH - A two vehicle crash in Falmouth caused a box truck to roll on its side. The crash happened just before 8 AM in the 400 block of Woods Hole Road. Three people were taken to Falmouth Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Traffic was detoured until the wreckage was cleared. Posted on 7/28 at 9:00 AM.

Painting stolen from Provincetown gallery
PROVINCETOWN - Police are seeking the person who stole a painting valued at over $4,000 from the Simie Maryles Gallery on Commercial Street in Provincetown sometime Thursday afternoon.

The 14X18 oil-on-panel painting, titled ''Blanketed (Corner of Pacific & Hoyt Streets),'' by Brooklyn artist Richard Rosenblatt, depicts a city snow scene, with white-topped cars on a street flanked by brownstone residences. We're working with Provincetown Police to get a photo of the painting.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call Provincetown Police at (508) 487-1212. Posted on 7/28 at 9:00 AM; material from the Cape Cod Times was used in this story.

Yarmouth Police seek subject in home improvement scam
YARMOUTH - Police have obtained an arrest warrant for a man accused of bilking people, mostly senior citizens out of $10,000. 32-year old Mark Higgins d/b/a/ Mark's Tree Service allegedly went door to door soliciting tree removal work.

He reportedly was paid in advance and then never finished the work. Anyone with information or who may be a victim is asked to call Yarmouth Police at (508) 775-0445. Posted on 7/28 at 9:00 AM; YPD photo.

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Toddler accidentally run over; West Nile on Cape; liquor theft; Harwich fire

Toddler accidentally run over in West Barnstable
WEST BARNSTABLE - A horrifying scene late this afternoon in West Barnstable after a father accidentally runs over his 2 year old son.

It happened about 5:15 PM in the 1000 block of Route 6A. The boy was rushed to Lombard field and Medflighted to a Boston hospital.

Fortunately he is expected to recover. Barnstable Police are investigating. Posted on 7/27 at 9:00 PM; Photo courtesy of Frank Paparo/NEVN.

Crash snarls commute around rotary
BOURNE - The afternoon commute ground to a crawl around the Bourne Rotary after this rollover crash.

The driver was attended to by State Police trooper and Bourne rescue. The injuries were not believed to be serious.

The crash is under investigation. Further details were not immediately available.
Posted on 7/27 at 7:00 PM; photo courtesy of A. Parker.

Beach search turns up nothing
YARMOUTH - Lifeguards and Firefighters began an extensive search of Gray's Beach after fears of a missing swimmer.

A pair of shoes and clothing found unattended prompted the search that included boats and divers.

After several hours nothing was found and nobody has been reported missing.

The search was suspended pending further developments.

Posted on 7/27 at 6:30 PM. Top photo courtesy Jake O'Callaghan, Bottom  photo courtesy R. Copley.

Fire damages Harwich office building
HARWICH - Fire damaged a Harwich office building this morning. Firefighters responding to a reported appliance fire about 7:20 AM fire found flames crawling up the outside of the building.

The fire was quickly knocked down and damage inside was minimal. No one was at work yet and no injuries were reported. The exact cause is under investigation but the fire may have started in an air conditioning unit. Posted on 7/27 at 7:30 AM; updated on 7/27 at 6:30 PM; photo courtesy of the Cape Cod Chronicle.

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County fair stabbings, Major Cape-bound drug bust

Another stabbing at fair
FALMOUTH - For the second night in a row the Barnstable County Fair has come to a violent close. Another stabbing was reported about 11 PM. The victim was taken to Falmouth Hospital. A press release from Falmouth Police says an altercation broke out between a large group of individuals and one person was stabbed several times in the leg and thigh. The wounds do not appear life-threatening. Police are continuing to look for a motive and suspects in the attack. Posted on 7/26 at 11:20 PM; updated on 7/27 at 8:00 AM.

Major Heroin Bust on Route 195 heading for Cape Cod
SWANSEA - Police say the suspected dealer was on his way from Providence to Cape Cod to drop off the drugs. The 39-year-old suspect in this case will be arraigned later on this morning in Second District Court in Fall River. Police found five bricks of heroin in the suspect's Chrysler at a Route 195 rest stop in Swansea. The investigation is part of operation crossover, the officers are part of SCAT, the South Coast Anti-Crime Task Force.  Read the complete story in WPRI-TV here.

Driver freed from Route 6 crash
YARMOUTH - Firefighters had to extricate a woman after her car crashed into the woods on the Mid-Cape Highway around 7 PM. The crash happened on the westbound side between exits 8 & 9. Traffic was slowed while rescuers worked the scene. State Police are investigating if the driver may have been cut off by another vehicle.

Police seek suspects in stabbing at County Fair
BARNSTABLE - Falmouth Police are investigating a stabbing in the parking lot at the Barnstable County Fair late Tuesday night. According to the Cape Cod Times police believe a woman thought someone had made an obscene remark about her. She allegedly responded by shoving fried dough in that man's face. Her boyfriend then reportedly came to her defense and was stabbed in the forearm. The 18-year old Wareham man was stabbed in the forearm. Several police officers on detail at the fair pursued the boyfriend and girlfriend but they managed to get away. Anyone with information is urged to contact Falmouth Police at (508) 457-2527. Posted on 7/26 at 4:00 PM.

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CG rescue; Domestic violence arrests

Coast Guard rescues two fishermen after their boat sinks in Nantucket Sound
CAPE COD - At 7:14 a.m., the Coast Guard received a distress call from the captain of the fishing vessel Scratcher who reported that his boat was taking on water. The 35-foot boat had struck an object in the vicinity of Horseshoe Shoal and immediately began taking on water.

Shortly thereafter, the two-man crew sent out a distress call via their marine radio. The distress call from the Scratcher was received by the Coast Guard command center at Sector Southeastern New England where resources were dispatched immediately. A Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod was diverted to the scene, as well as small boats from Station Chatham and Station Woods Hole. The fishermen fought the flooding, but were forced to abandon ship as the water rose uncontrollably. Shortly after the vessel sank, the Coast Guard helicopter hoisted the two fishermen from the water and returned them safely to land.  Posted on 7/25 at 5:30 PM.

Two arrested in domestic incidents
TRURO - Two people were arrested after two potentially deadly cases of domestic violence on the Cape. Early Saturday morning a woman reported to police her boyfriend had put a gun to her head at an apartment on Shore Road in Truro. Police were able to convince the suspect to surrender without incident. 47-year Raymond Hernandez was arraigned Monday in Orleans District Court on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of a class D substance (marijuana). A .32 caliber revolver was recovered from the scene. Meanwhile late Sunday night in Sandwich a man was arrested after allegedly threatening his girlfriend with shards of glass after he reportedly smashed out a window while trying to break into her home. 36-year old Robert Osprey was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property over $250, and malicious destruction of property under $250. The victim suffered cuts but is expected to be okay. Evans was due to be arraigned in court Monday. Posted on 7/25 at 6:30 AM.

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Gas leak; RXR fires; Dennis fire

Gas main ruptured in Yarmouth
YARMOUTH - A gas main feeding a house was ruptured late this afternoon. Firefighters were called to standby 101 Phyllis Lane about 5:15 PM until Keyspan could arrive and cap the leak. Traffic was detoured around the scene.

Train sparks brush fires in Sandwich, Bourne
SANDWICH - Once again a train is responsible for sparking several brush fires along the tracks. Today's fires occurred in Sandwich and Bourne as the afternoon trash train headed to the SEMASS plant. One of the fires reportedly burned near a home and caught a utility pole on fire. Firefighters from several Cape towns and breakers from Onset, the Otis base and two state breakers assisted at the scene. This is a file photo of the same train during a similar incident in May in Barnstable. Posted on 7/24 at 5:30 PM; updated on 7.25 at 5:00 PM.

Kitchen fire damages Dennis apartment building
DENNIS - A fire that apparently started in a kitchen caused moderate damage to a Dennis apartment just after 1:30 PM.

The mother living in the apartment at 11 Edwards Avenue escaped with her nine month old child and no one was injured.

The Red Cross is reportedly assisting the occupants with temporary shelter. 

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Posted on 7/24 at 5:30 PM.

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Crashes; Shots fired in Hyannis, Motorcyclist nabbed for OUI, Boy stung at beach

Oil spill reported in Chatham
CHATHAM - Officials in Chatham are on the scene of an oil spill in the water. Local police and fire along with the Coast Guard and Mass Environmental Police are on the scene trying to determine where the oil came from. Further details were not immediately available. Posted on 7/23 at 10:00 PM.

Three injured in rollover crash at notorious intersection
WEST BARNSTABLE - Three people were injured, one seriously, in this two vehicle crash at the notorious intersection of Route 149, Service Road, and the eastbound exit 5 off ramp from Route 6.

A Ford Expedition collided with a car causing the Expedition to rollover. The injured were taken to Cape Cod Hospital by West Barnstable and Centerville ambulances. Barnstable Police are investigating. Posted on 7/23 at 3:00 PM; photo courtesy of Frank Paparo/NEVN.

Driver cited after Truro crash
TRURO - Truro Police cited an elderly driver after his vehicle crashed into a storefront porch Sunday morning. Two women were sitting on a bench in front of the Jams store on Truro Center Road when the crash happened about 9:15 AM Sunday. One of the women Margaret Peachy of Jamaica Plain was treated and released at the scene. The driver 85-year old Basil Sprague of Berkley Heights, NJ was cited for operating to endanger and failing to use care in starting. Posted on 7/23 at 3:00 PM.

Shots fired in Hyannis
HYANNIS - Shots were fired in Hyannis early Sunday morning. Police found 3 shells on the ground on Bearses Way near the Kennedy Skating Rink and are reportedly looking for two vehicles which fled the scene. No one was apparently hit and no further details were immediately available. Posted on 7/23 at 4:00 AM.

Motorcyclist nabbed for OUI after crash
YARMOUTH - A motorcyclist was arrested for operating under the influence after crashing his bike. Police say 53-year old Keith Adamson got back on the bike and left the scene at Route 6A and Union Street about 9 PM Friday.

Police spotted the bike on Center Street but the operator reportedly fled until he fell off the bike again at Center Street and Route 6A. He was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol, operating negligently to endanger, and failing to stop for a police officer. He'll be arraigned on Monday. Posted on 7/23 at 4:00 AM; YPD photo.

Portuguese Man-Of-War stings boy in Harwich
More than a dozen stung so far this season
A 12-year-old boy is stung by a Portuguese man-of-war on Cape Cod on Saturday.

Reid Van Iderstine was body surfing with his father and two brothers in Harwich when he was stung on the upper right calf.

Harwich paramedics irrigated Reid's leg with sterile water then used plastic paddles to scrape some man-of-war residue off his leg because it was feared that some stingers were still lodged in his skin. A baking powder mixture helped draw out the poison.

Homeowner rescued from Barnstable fire
BARNSTABLE - Dramatic moments when fire breaks out in a Barnstable home Saturday morning. Firefighters arriving at 180 Scudder Lane just before 7 AM found the homeowner out on a roof and had to rescue her over a ladder. She was treated for smoke inhalation. The fire appeared to be contained to one room on the first floor of the two and a half story house. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Further details were not immediately available. Posted on 7/22 at 8:00 AM. 

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Truro tool thefts; Multi offense OUI arrests; Beryl a bust

Crash slows Route 6 traffic
BARNSTABLE - State Police are investigating a crash on Route 6 westbound before Exit 6 about 6:30 PM. A couple of ambulances were called to the scene but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver 18-year old Andrew Quink of Dennis and a 15-year old passenger were both taken to CCH for evaluation. State Police cited Quink for operating to endanger, speeding and failing to stay in marked lanes. Police allege he was deliberately swerving when he lost control of his car and hit the guardrail. Further details were not immediately available. Posted on 7/21 at 10:00 PM; updated on 7/22 at 8:00 AM.

Truro Police warn of tool thefts
TRURO - Truro Police are warning contractors to take their tools with then after a series of larcenies in the town. Suspects have been breaking into construction trailers at night. Some are near seasonal homes but others have been near year-round residences. Police urge people to report anything suspicious at (508) 487-8730. Posted on 7/21 at 4:30 PM.

State Police make two multi OUI arrests
YARMOUTH – State Police out of the Yarmouth barracks arrested two drivers overnight for multiple offense operating under the influence. 54-year old Arthur Menard of Yarmouth was arrested after reportedly nearly hitting a trooper directing traffic around the fatal motorcycle crash in Yarmouth Thursday night (see related story below). It’s his sixth OUI arrest. Early Friday morning another trooper arrested 44-year old Andrew William of Plainville on Route 6 in Eastham for his seventh OUI. Both suspects are due in court this morning. Posted on 7/21 at 7:00 AM.

Boston TV Weathermen mess up the weekend (again)

Tropical Storm Beryl pulled a last minute jog to the right sparing the Cape any significant weather.

This "Boston Weatherman's Storm" made landfall on Nantucket around 3 a.m. bringing a steady, driving rain to coastal Massachusetts. A couple hours later, it moved out to sea, leaving little but a soaking in its path.

The wind and rain started to pick up just after midnight, said Rocky Fox, owner of the Chicken Box bar there. But he wasn't scared: "It's the kind that puddles quick," he said. "To us it's just a big old Nor'easter."

Nantucket did get some steady rains which briefly brushed the elbow of the Cape with barely a sprinkle elsewhere. Winds remained light in the 20-30 MPH range. No damage reports have been received. Beach goers should continue to be wary of rip currents and rough surf today. There is a chance of thunderstorms late this afternoon or evening. Posted on 7/21 at 5:00 AM.

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