Police and Fire News

Woman meant to hit pedestrian in liquor store parking lot; CG rescue; Police rescue wheelchair bound man from burning car; School evacuated after child brings training grenade to class; 75-year-old Falmouth man seriously injured; Harwich crane tips over

Coast Guard rescues injured fisherman 130 miles at sea

OFFSHORE - The Coast Guard medevaced a crewman from the fishing vessel Rachel Leah 130 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass., Oct. 30, 2010.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England received a report from the Rachel Leah that the crewmen had sustained an injury after being struck by a lobster pot at around 2:18 p.m.

A HH-60 rescue helicopter transported the victim to Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod where local EMS took the victim to Falmouth Hospital.

Courtesy of USCG.

Bourne Police officer rescues wheelchair-bound passenger from burning car

BOURNE - A Bourne police officer pulled a trapped and handicapped wheel chair bound passenger from a minivan which caught on fire at the Mobil gas station at the Belmont Circle Rotary in Bourne, Massachusetts Saturday afternoon, October 30, 2010.

According to Bourne Police Sgt. Dennis Woodside, Police Officer Thomas Morgello pulled the trapped elderly man from the burning vehicle using a bear hug.  Sgt. Woodside has credited the officer with possibly saving the man’s life.

The driver of the minivan, who is the wife of the rescued man, escaped safely from the vehicle.

David G. Curran photo.

UPDATE: Police: Woman intentionally struck by car at liquor store

Amber Scanlan charged with A & B with a dangerous weapon - her car

BOURNE - Bourne police arrested Amber Scanlan of Falmouth Saturday on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The weapon was her car.

Bourne police Officer James Czyrca spoke yesterday to other media and said, "it was part of a personal dispute (between the two women."

Bourne firefighters transported a pedestrian reportedly struck by a car from the parking lot of Seaside Liquors on Barlows Landing Road Friday evening, October 29, 2010 around 9:45 p.m.

The extent of the victim's injuries were unknown at the time, but he was reportedly conscious at the scene.

Bourne police are investigating the accident.

Photo by David G. Curran.

Wareham School evacuated after child brings training grenade to class

A Wareham Police Officer directs a car away from the blocked entrance to the Minot Forest Elementary School Friday afternoon after a training grenade was discovered.

WAREHAM - The Wareham Week is reporting that a child attending the Minot Forest Elementary School, brought a training grenade to class in a backpack Friday, October 28, 2010.

The afternoon discovery of the grenade led to an evacuation of the school.  Wareham Police responded to the scene along with Wareham fire and emergency personnel and the State Police Bomb Squad.

Authorities reported the grenade to be inert. - Photo by David G. Curran.

75-year-old Falmouth man seriously injured after being struck by car Thursday night

EAST FALMOUTH - A 75-year-old Falmouth man was taken to Boston Hospital Thursday evening, October 28, 2010, in serious condition after being struck by a blue Pontiac Grand-Am.

Around 9 p.m., the Falmouth Police responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a car  at 439 East Falmouth Highway, in front of 3 Ways Liquors.  The man was taken by ambulance to Falmouth Hospital and later transferred to a Boston hospital. His condition was listed as serious at the time.  A MedFlight helicopter was original called to the scene, but canceled due to inclement weather.

A section of East Falmouth Highway was shut down as a result of the crash and subsequent investigation.

No charges have been filed against the driver of the Grand-Am.

Falmouth Police are withholding the man's name pending notification of the family.

The incident is being investigated by the Falmouth Police Accident Reconstruction Team.

Release courtesy of the Falmouth Police Department. Photo and video by David G. Curran.

Crane tips over at work site in Harwichport Thursday

HARWICHPORT - Harwich police and firefighters responded to a work site in Harwichport after a crane tipped over Thursday morning, October 28, 2010.

There were no reported injuries at the construction site on Wychmere Harbor off Route 28.

Thursday morning, the upended crane could be seen leaning against a foundation and newly-constructed building frame.

An investigation into what caused the crane to tip will be conducted.

Photo and video by David G. Curran.

Harwich Crane tips over at work site

Crane tips over at work site in Harwichport Thursday

HARWICHPORT - Harwich police and firefighters responded to a work site in Harwichport after a crane tipped over Thursday morning, October 28, 2010.

There were no reported injuries at the construction site on Wychmere Harbor off Route 28.

Thursday morning, the upended crane could be seen leaning against a foundation and newly-constructed building frame.

An investigation into what caused the crane to tip will be conducted.

Photo and video by David G. Curran.

B&E suspect arrested while purchasing Oxycodone in Marstons Mills; Two Louisiana men busted for trafficking coke, Oxy in Hyannis

Two Louisiana men busted for trafficking cocaine and Oxycodone in Hyannis

Barnstable detectives seized over $100,000 in cocaine and pills

   Left to right: Adrian Cox, 35 and Willie Miller, 32, both originally from Louisiana, face multiple drug-related charges as a result of their arrest on Tuesday. Booking photos courtesy of the Barnstable Police Department.

HYANNIS - Over the past month, Barnstable Police Narcotics detectives have been conducting a cocaine distribution investigation in the east end of Hyannis.  During that investigation, undercover cocaine purchases were made from a residence located at 14 Terry Court in Hyannis.  During the investigation, numerous surveillances were also conducted on the residence, whereupon detectives observed a shocking amount of traffic in and out of the residence.  Detectives also observed the residents, Willie Miller, 32, and Adrian Cox,  35, conduct a multitude of suspected drug transactions in the surrounding neighborhood.  Miller and Cox have been staying in Hyannis for less than a year and are originally from Louisiana.   

Based on the investigation, Detective Colin Kelley obtained a search warrant for the residence.  On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, Barnstable detectives executed the search warrant.  Willie Miller and Adrian Cox were inside the residence.  Cox attempted to prevent detectives from getting into the house by (unsuccessfully) trying to hold the door shut.  Cox then attempted to flee the residence. 

A subsequent search of the residence resulted in the seizure of 500 grams of cocaine (1/2 kilo) and 450 Oxycodone tablets.  Other drug related evidence such as digital scales and approximately $2500 in cash was also recovered.  The street value of the seized drugs is approximately $100,000.

Willie Miller and Adrian Cox were both charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act, Trafficking Cocaine, and Trafficking Oxycodone. 

Both suspects were held overnight at the Barnstable Police Station and arraigned Wednesday morning in Barnstable District Court.

Bail was set at $100,000.

Courtesy of the Barnstable Police Department.

B&E suspect arrested while purchasing Oxycodone in Marstons Mills

During questioning, suspect admits involvement in five home break-ins

   Left to right: Christina Nodell, 23, of Cotuit and James Rooney, 21, of Marstons Mills, arrested and charged on a variety of offenses.  See below for details. Booking photos courtesy of the Barnstable Police Department.

Over the past month, Barnstable Detectives John York and Jason Laber have been investigating a series of residential house breaks, involving the theft of jewelry and electronics, in the Osterville/Cotuit area.  Pursuant to that investigation, Christina Nodell, 23, of Cotuit, was identified as a prime suspect. 

On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, Barnstable detectives began surveillance on Nodell.  During the surveillance, Nodell was followed to the Marstons Mills Post Office parking lot.  Nodell parked in a secluded area of the lot and waited inside her car.  Detectives maintained surveillance and observed a vehicle operated by James Rooney, 21, of Marstons Mills, pull up to Nodell.  Rooney is a known Oxycodone distributor.  

Nodell exited her vehicle and entered Rooney’s vehicle.  When detectives approached the pair, Rooney was in the process of counting out a quantity (10) of Oxycodone pills while Nodell waited with cash in hand.  Both suspects were removed from the vehicle and arrested.  A subsequent search of Rooney resulted in the seizure of an additional 23 Oxycodone tablets and $855 in cash. 

James Rooney, who was operating an unregistered vehicle with a suspended driver's license, was charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Oxycodone with the Intent to Distribute, Operating after Suspension, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle and Attaching Plates.  Rooney also had four outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Nodell was subsequently interrogated at the Barnstable Police Department and admitted her involvement in five residential house breaks.  Nodell also admitted to pawning several thousand dollars worth of jewelry in Hyannis.  A large portion of that jewelry has been recovered by detectives.

Christina Nodell was charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act, 4 counts of Breaking and Entering in the Daytime with the Intent to Commit a Felony, 4 counts of Larceny in a Building, and 1 count of Receiving Stolen Property (over $250).

Both suspects were held overnight at the Barnstable Police Station and were arraigned Wednesday morning in Barnstable District Court. 

The investigation is continuing and more arrests are anticipated.

Courtesy of the Barnstable Police Department.

Room fire at the Four Points by Sheraton in Eastham Tuesday; Yarmouth Police to offer free gun locks

Room fire at the Four Points by Sheraton in Eastham Tuesday

EASTHAM - Around 12:45 p.m., on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, a fire broke out in a guest room at the Four Points by Sheraton on Route 6. 

Eastham firefighters quickly knocked down the fire. 

According to emergency broadcast reports, a plumber suffered minor burn injuries to his arm during the incident. 

There is no word yet as to the cause of the fire. 

Photo by David G. Curran.

Yarmouth Police to offer free gun locks

YARMOUTH - Starting Tuesday, October 26, 2010, Yarmouth Police Headquarters will again serve as a distribution point for free cable-style gun locks. The men and women of the Yarmouth Police Department and Project ChildSafe have joined forces to help remind gun owners to properly store firearms and prevent a loaded firearm from falling into the hands of a child.

Project ChildSafe is the nation's largest firearms safety campaign and has distributed over 35 million gun locks at no charge across America.

The gun locks are available free of charge to all citizens in the lobby of police headquarters as long as supplies last.

For further information about this program please visit www.ProjectChildSafe.org.

Yarmouth Police Headquarters are located at One Brad Erickson Way in West Yarmouth.

Courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

Yarmouth Police nab two more nighttime thieves on Saturday; Harwich Police & Fire thank yous for pumpkin display; Dispatcher position open at YPD; Driver cited in two-Jeep crash in Truro

Yarmouth Police nab two more nighttime thieves on Saturday

Two local men caught red-handed trying to break into a Hummer

   Left to right: Robert P. Parris and Warner Ennes, both arrested and charged with theft early Saturday morning in South Yarmouth. YPD mughots.

SOUTH YARMOUTH - On Saturday, October 23, 2010 at approximately 5:10 a.m., the Yarmouth Police Department received a call from a citizen reporting a breaking and entering in progress on Clifford Street in South Yarmouth. The caller further reported that two male suspects had fled the area on bicycles.

Yarmouth Police Patrol Officers Nicholas Ambrosini and James Cheverie and Patrol Investigator Christopher Van Ness responded to the scene, met with the caller, and conducted a saturation patrol of the area.  Within a few minutes, Patrol Officer Ambrosini located two men in the driveway of a home on Village Brook Road with two bicycles next to them on the ground.  One of the men was trying to open the door of a Hummer SUV parked in the driveway.

Patrol Officer Ambrosini radioed for assistance and confronted the two men.  One man stated his aunt lived at the home and he was trying to get his golf clubs out of the vehicle. Yarmouth Police Patrol Officer Christopher Marino and Patrol Investigator Scott Lundegren arrived and provided back up as Officers Ambrosini and Cheverie determined that the men did not belong in the neighborhood, did not own the Hummer, and were in fact the ones seen earlier trying to break into a home on Clifford Street. The two men, identified as Robert P. Parris, 28, of 62 Joshua Baker Road in West Yarmouth, and Warner Ennes, 27, of Alexander Drive in South Dennis, were subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters.

Crime Scene Investigator Matt Smith of the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene and provided crime scene services.

Throughout the remainder of the day, Yarmouth Police Patrol Officers Kalil Boghdan, Mark Noone and Richard Fichter, Jr. investigated additional car break-ins as well as the theft of the two bicycles in question, all in the same neighborhood.  Evidence was recovered and additional charges filed against the two suspects.

Both Parris and Ennes were scheduled for arraignment Monday morning in the Barnstable District Court. They are both charged with:

• Two (2) counts of Felony Attempt to Commit a Crime
• Six (6) counts of Felony Breaking and Entering into a Motor Vehicle
• Felony Larceny
• Felony Destruction of Property

Release and booking photos courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

Harwich Police & Fire thanks local businesses for holiday pumpkin display

HARWICH - The Harwich Police and Fire Departments would like to thank the Robert B. Our Company, All Points Home and Garden, and Signs by Jeff for their generous donations to the display and the free pumpkins available at the Harwich Public Safety Facility.

Many citizens have already stopped and picked out their pumpkins, so if you are interested please stop and pick out yours.

Courtesy of the Harwich Police Department.

Job opening at the Yarmouth Police Department

YARMOUTH - The Yarmouth Police Department is currently accepting applications for the the full-time position of civilian public safety dispatcher. 

Job description and application details are available online here.

The deadline for application submissions is Friday, November 19, 2010 at 4 p.m.

Driver cited in two-Jeep crash in Truro last Thursday

TRURO - On Thursday, October 21, 2010, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Truro Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 6 in the area of Highland Road. The crash was investigated by Officer James Roach who determined that Jeanne Foulke, 87, of Truro, was operating a 1999 Jeep Cherokee on the on-ramp from Highland Road to Route 6.  Ms. Foulke turned into the southbound lane of Route 6 striking a 2004 Jeep Cherokee operated by Richard Silva, 74, of Truro.

Both vehicles sustained extensive damage, and both operator were transported to Cape Cod Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Jeanne Foulke was issued a criminal citation for operating to endanger, and failure to yield.

Courtesy of the Truro Police Department.

Search warrant execution in West Dennis leads to two drug arrests Wednesday

Search warrant execution in West Dennis leads to two arrests Wednesday

Pills, ammunition confiscated

WEST DENNIS - At approximately 9:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, October 20, 2010, Dennis Police Detectives assisted by the Cape Cod Regional SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a home located at 21 Bayberry Road in West Dennis.

The search warrant was the culmination of a two-month investigation conducted by detectives from the Dennis Police Department into drug dealing at that residence.

Two men were arrested and charged with the following:

• Brian P. Barry, 22, of 21 Bayberry Road, West Dennis, charged with Possession and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Controlled Substance (Oxycodone Hydrochloride), Possession of a Class C Controlled Substance (Alprazolam) and Possession of Ammunition without Being Licensed.
• Carlos Santana, 43, of 21 Bayberry Road, West Dennis, charged with  Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Controlled Substance (Oxycodone Hydrochloride) and Possession of a Class E Controlled Substance (Clonidine Hydrochloride).

As a result of the search of the residence police seized 9mm handgun ammunition and a pellet handgun.  A quantity of drugs including Percocet, Suboxone and Alprazolam were also seized as well as cash and drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of drugs.

Both Barry and Santana were arraigned Thursday in Orleans District Court.

Courtesy of the Dennis Police Department.

Two nabbed dealing Oxycodone in Hyannis; pills, cash confiscated

Two nabbed dealing Oxycodone in Hyannis

Pills will a street value of $5,250 and $1,500 in cash confiscated during bust

HYANNIS - On Tuesday, October 19, 2010, Barnstable and Yarmouth Narcotics detectives completed an Oxycodone distribution investigation which resulted in the issuance of a search warrant for the residence of Kevin Robie, 20, and Jessica Willet, 18, at 38B Chase Street in Hyannis.  Barnstable Detective Brian Guiney was the investigating detective. 

During the investigation, undercover purchases of Oxycodone were made from Willet and Robie.  The Barnstable Police Department had also received neighborhood complaints about drug activity at the residence.  

Tuesday evening, while preparing to execute the search warrant, detectives began following Willet and Robie in Hyannis.  Willet and Robie were observed meeting and making hand to hand exchanges with suspected drug customers in two Hyannis parking lots. 

When the two suspects pulled into a third parking lot (Sturgis Charter High School), Detectives conducted a vehicle stop. 

A subsequent search of  the vehicle and Willet and Robie resulted in the seizure of 175 Oxycodone tablets  with a street value of $5,250 and approximately $1500 in cash.  A  small quantity of Oxycodone pills were also found at their Chase Street home.   

Willet and Robie were both arrested and charged with Trafficking Oxycodone, Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act and Committing a Drug Violation in a School Zone.

Robie also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest charging Armed Robbery, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute and Breaking and Entering.  Both suspects were held at the Barnstable Police Department overnight and were arraigned Wednesday morning in Barnstable District Court.

Courtesy of the Barnstable Police Department.

Falmouth police find missing boy after exhaustive search; Chatham Police issue Nun Run traffic advisory; Performance recognition awarded to Yarmouth officer after capture of Cape sex offender

Falmouth Police find missing boy after exhaustive search

FALMOUTH - On Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at 5:45 p.m., the Falmouth Police Department received a report of a missing 10-year-old boy. The boy's disappearance on Tuesday, marks the fourteenth time the child has run away since March of this year.

The Falmouth Police, with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police, including the air wing, and the Barnstable county Sheriff's Office searched for hours. The boy was eventually found by MA State Troopers in the area of the Teaticket Stop & Shop.

The boy was transported to Falmouth Hospital as a precautionary measure.

Courtesy of the Falmouth Police Department.

Chatham Police issue Nun Run traffic advisory

CHATHAM - On Saturday, October 23, 2010, the Red Nun Bar and Grill will host its annual 5K Run/Walk in Chatham.  The event is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. 

The start/finish line is located on Queen Anne Road/Pond Street, with registration at the Oyster Pond parking area.  

The race route will involve Stage Harbor Road, Champlain Road, Battlefield Road, Cedar Street, Pond Street and Queen Anne Road.  During this event there will be temporary road closures, traffic restrictions and detours.  There will be Chatham Police Officers on traffic posts to assist the public.

The Chatham Police Department is asking for the public’s patience and cooperation during this annual charitable event.

Courtesy of the Chatham Police Department.

Performance recognition awarded to Yarmouth officer after capture of Cape sex offender

YARMOUTH - The Yarmouth Police have presented Records Division Officer Chris Capobianco with the following performance recogition for his part in the capture of an unregistered sex offender, Shawn P. Downer:

"For outstanding performance while demonstrating a superior degree of initiative, professionalism and law enforcement multi-agency teamwork that directly improved the safety of our communities and reflects great credit upon the men and women in Law Enforcement and our Criminal Justice System."

On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, US Marshal's captured Downer in South Carolina. Downer was wanted in Yarmouth for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.  His last known address was 23 Courtland Way in West Yarmouth.

In 2009, during a follow-up investigation, Officer Capobianco discovered that Downer had moved without notifying authorities. He contacted US Marshal's alerting them to Downer's status.

Downer was found working in food service at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.  Read the original report of Downer's arrest here.

Police capture fugitive Monday with jewelry stolen from South Yarmouth shop

Police capture fugitive Monday with jewelry stolen from South Yarmouth shop

YARMOUTH - On Monday, October 18, 2010, at approximately 10 a.m., Massachusetts State Police K9 Sergeant Charles Kane conducted a motor vehicle stop of a white Mercury Sable on Route 93 north in Quincy. Two men with ties to Dennis and Yarmouth were in the car.

Adam H. Coleman was found in possession of jewelry stolen from a shop in South Yarmouth on Saturday. Photo courtesy of YPD.

While conducting the vehicle stop, a large amount of assorted jewelry was uncovered.  K9 Sergeant Kane contacted Yarmouth Police Detective Sergeant Charles E. Peterson and Dennis Police Detective Sergeant Mark Conant and arrangements were made to seize the jewelry and return it to Yarmouth Police Headquarters.

By 2:30 p.m., most of the jewelry in question was identified as having been stolen during a break-in early Saturday morning, October 16, 2010 at the Bass River Coin Shop on Route 28 in South Yarmouth.

Around 8 p.m., Yarmouth Police Detective Eric H. Nuss met with Adam H. Coleman, the passenger in the car stopped earlier in the day by State Police K9 Sergeant Kane at Yarmouth Police Headquarters.  Based on the results of the interview, Coleman, 39, of Alexander Drive in Dennis, was placed under arrest and held overnight at Yarmouth Police Headquarters on $1,500 cash bail.  He  was transported to the Barnstable District Court for arraignment Tuesday morning.

Coleman was charged with Felony Possession of Stolen Property and as a Fugitive from Justice on an Outstanding Warrant for Drug Possession in Florida.

The case remains active and ongoing. 

Anyone with information about Adam Coleman or the break-in at Bass River Coins is urged to contact Yarmouth Police Detective Eric H. Nuss at 508 775-0445 extension 2132 or by email at enuss@yarmouth.ma.us or tips@yarmouthpolice.com.

Release and booking photo courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

US Marshals nab Cape sex offender in South Carolina; Armed robbery at ATM in Wareham, victim shot in the face with a pellet gun

US Marshals nab Cape sex offender in South Carolina

YARMOUTH - On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, United States Marshals located and arrested 37-year-old Shawn P. Downer, a Cape Cod man who was wanted by the Yarmouth Police Department for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.  Downer's last known address was 23 Courtland Way in West Yarmouth.

In 2005 Downer was convicted of 512 counts of Possession of Child Pornography based on an investigation conducted by the Dennis and Massachusetts State Police.

In the summer of 2009, he moved to Yarmouth and registered as a Level 2 Sex Offender. In the fall of 2009, Yarmouth Police Records Officer Chris Capobianco conducted a follow-up investigation that determined Downer had moved, not notified authorities, and was in violation of Massachusetts Law.

Officer Capobianco contacted the United States Marshal Service and worked closely with members of the Cape and Island District Attorney’s Sex Offender Management Unit and US Marshals assigned to the Operation Intercept Task Force to locate Downer.  Shawn Downer was found working at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds as a food vendor for a traveling New York-based state and local carnival food service provider.

With the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police, arrangements are currently being made to return him to Massachusetts.  Downer was arrested on the following:

• Felony Warrant for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Barnstable District Court)
• Felony Warrants for Violation of Probation for Possession of Child Pornography (Barnstable Superior Court)
• Felony Warrant for Larceny (Orleans District Court)
  

Release and photo courtesy of the Yarmouth Police Department.

Armed robbery at ATM in Wareham, victim reportedly shot in the face with a pellet gun

   Police investigators examine a Chevy SUV used in an armed robbery at an ATM in Wareham Tuesday, prior to the vehicle being towed from a parking lot on the canal. Photo by David G. Curran.

WAREHAM - Wareham Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. at a Bank of America ATM at the Cranberry Plaza Shopping Center on Cranberry Highway (Route 6).  Around 8:45 a.m., police pulled over a Chevy SUV along the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne with the alleged robbery suspects inside.  The three teen suspects were subsequently taken into custody.

According to the Wareham Courier, the suspects have been identified as Darrell DeBarros, 19, of Brockton, Kerry Quinn, 17, of Hyannis and a 15-year-old juvenile.  The SUV was stolen Monday night in Barnstable. 

It  has since been confirmed that the victim of the armed robbery was shot in the face twice with a pellet gun. He was treated at Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Recently, a Level 3 Sex Offender tried to abduct a woman outside Wal-Mart at the Cranberry Plaza.

Photo and video by David G. Curran.