Police and Fire News

Two suspects sought in Wellfleet home invasion

Two suspects sought in Wellfleet home invasion

WELLFLEET - Wellfleet police are looking for two men wanted after a violent home invasion on Briar Lane just after midnight Monday, according to a Wellfleet police release. At 12:17 a.m., officers responded to a home at 29 Briar Lane where the victim told police that two men, described as a white male with facial hair and a Jamaican male with dreadlocks, entered the bedroom where the victim and family were sleeping. The victim told officers he was stabbed by one of the men twice in the shoulder. The two men fled the home after a brief struggle in which the victim tore some of the dreadlocks out of one of the man's head, police said.

While the victim was transported to Cape Cod Hospital, officers searched the surrounding area. A Barnstable County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit and a Barnstable County criminal investigative officer were called in to aid in the search and process the scene for evidence. The suspects still remain at large.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information about the attack or either of the two men is asked to contact Wellfleet police at 508-349-3702.

Source: Wellfleet Police Department.

Police seek suspect in double shooting at West Yarmouth motel Monday

Police seek suspect in double shooting at West Yarmouth motel Monday

Michael A. Giampapa is wanted by police

   20-year-old Michael A. Giampapa is wanted by the Yarmouth police for shooting two men Monday night. YPD booking photo.

Yarmouth police officers at the scene of a double shooting in West Yarmouth Monday night. Two men were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. David G. Curran photo.

WEST YARMOUTH - Just before 6 p.m. Monday evening, Yarmouth police officers and firefighters responded to a call for shots fired at the American Host Motel at 69 Route 28 in West Yarmouth, according to a Yarmouth police release.  Upon arrival, officers found two men--one 30, the other 35--both lying in the motel parking lot and both suffering from gunshot wounds.

Police determined that the shooter had fled the area and called in the members of the Barnstable Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police to assist with a search of the area.

Advanced life support was provided by Yarmouth Fire and Rescue and the two unidentified victims were transported to Cape Cod Hospital with life-threatening wounds, police said. The condition of both men is not known at this time. Police have not released a motive for the shooting.

Although the shooting suspect was not located during the search of the area, police have released his name. He is Michael A. Giampapa, a 20-year-old male, 5'9" tall, 140 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. Giampapa's last known address was 55 Lakefield Drive in South Yarmouth.

Giampapa in a photo from his Facebook page, courtesy of the Yarmouth Police.

Giampapa, a D-Y graduate, is known to authorities and has an extensive criminal record including a history of armed and violent crimes. He should be considered possibly armed and dangerous, police said. Anyone with information about Gaimpapa, his whereabouts or the shooting, is asked to call 911 immediately or email Yarmouth police at tips@yarmouthpolice.com.

Source: Yarmouth Police Department.

Yarmouth Port man arrested for 5th OUI during Hurricane Irene; Brewster man arrested after stand-off with police Friday; Harwich police nab three for breaking and entering Monday; Man caught breaking into Wareham gas station

Harwich police nab three for breaking and entering Monday

   L to R: Erika Hedderig, 22; Phillip Monroe, 19; and Sy Zarthar, 22; all face breaking and entering charges. HPD booking photos.

NORTH HARWICH - Around 10:30 a.m. Monday morning, Harwich Patrol Officer Mark Holmes responded to a suspicious activity call on Factory Road in North Harwich, according to a Harwich police release. The caller told police two white males had been dropped off by the driver of a white jeep and were banging on the door of her home. The woman was able to provide police with a full description of the men.

While checking the area, Officer Holmes heard a home security alarm sounding. He then saw two males on North Westgate Road matching the description provided by the Factory Road homeowner. The two men fled on foot before Officer Holmes could place them under arrest. When he checked the home on North Westgate Road, Officer Holmes found it had been broken into by the men.

A description of the two men was provided to other officers in the area through HPD dispatch and Patrol Sergeant Kevin Considine, Patrol Officers Aram Goshgarian, John Warren and Robert Hadfield and Detectives Paul Ulrich and Robert Brackett responded.

Patrol Officer Goshgarian located one of the suspects identified as Phillip Monroe, 19, of Bumps River Road in Barnstable, as he emerged from a backyard on Depot Street. Officer Goshgarian caught and arrested Monroe after a brief foot chase, police said.

While searching for the second suspect, Detective Brackett saw a man emerge from the woods and get into a white Jeep. The detective, assisted by Sergeant Considine and Offficer Hadfield, conducted a vehicle stop, which resulted in the arrest of the second suspect, identified as Sy Zarthar, 22 of Nottingham Drive in Centerville and the female driver, identified as Erika Hedderig, 22, of Old Falmouth Road in Marstons Mills.

Monroe and Zarthar were charged with felony breaking and entering and felony destruction of property. Hedderig was charged with felony breaking and entering and obstruction of a police investigation for attempting to mislead officers.  All three were transported to Orleans District Court for arraignment after booking at the Harwich Police Station, police said.

Source: Harwich Police Department.

Man caught red-handed breaking into Wareham gas station Sunday night

WAREHAM - Sunday night, around 8:30 p.m., a resident called the Wareham police to report a possible breaking and entering in progress at Cape Cod Gas Station on Cranberry Highway.  According to a Wareham police release, the caller saw the man break a window at the front of the building. Units were in the area during the power outage on Cranberry Highway caused by Hurricane Irene.

According to police, when K9 Officer Michael Phinney got to the scene, he discovered a broken window where the suspect had entered the gas station. Officer Phinney announced that he would be setting the K9 dog free in the building and a male suspect in disposable gloves, identified as Billy Mulvey, 37, of 130 Dean Ave. in Franklin, made his presence known to the officer.

Mulvey was arrested and charged with felony breaking and entering nighttime, larceny from a building, malicious destruction of property and possession of burglarious tools.  He was first transported to Tobey Hospital in Wareham where he was treated for minor lacerations sustained while breaking into the building. Mulvey was then transported to the Wareham Police Station where he was held until his arraignment in Wareham District Court Monday, police said.

Source: Wareham Police Department.

Yarmouth Port man arrested for 5th OUI during Hurricane Irene Sunday

John S. King, arrested and charged with his 5th OUI on Sunday. YPD booking photo.

YARMOUTH PORT - Just after 7 p.m. Sunday night, Yarmouth Patrol Officer Richard Fichter and Patrol Investigator Christopher Van Ness pulled over 46-year-old John S. King of 154 Center Street in Yarmouth Port for erratic operation on Route 6A. According to police, King, who was driving at 2002 Chrysler, nearly struck Officer Fichter head on.

King was placed under arrest and charged with his 5th OUI (liquor), operating with a revoked license, operating to endanger and failing to stay in the proper travel lane. He is scheduled for arraingment Monday morning in Barnstable District Court.

Source: Yarmouth Police Department.

Brewster man arrested after stand-off with police Friday

Woman makes 911 call after husband threatens to kill her

BREWSTER - Around 4:15 p.m., Brewster police responded to a 911 call from a resident on Harwich Road, in which the caller reported that her husband, identified as 49-year-old Todd Dennison, threatened to kill her. According to a Brewster police release, Dennison carried shotgun ammunition to an upstairs room where he keeps several firearms.  Dennison is not licensed to carry firearms, police said.

Upon arrival, Brewster officers and detectives safely removed the woman and a child from the home. A perimeter was set up around the home and surrounding neighbors were evacuated.

Click HERE for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene Public Safety Updates.

Brewster police called in Cape Cod Regional SWAT and members of the MA State Police Bomb Squad.  After several hours, according to police, SWAT negotiators made contact with Dennison and persuaded him to surrender.  There were no injuries during the incident, police said.

Dennison was placed under arrest and will face several charges in Orleans District Court today.

Source: Brewster Police Department.

Hurricane Irene updates available in the CapeCodToday.com news section

FOR SUNDAY - Hurricane Irene updates are available in the news section of CapeCodToday.com.

Click here for the original post and here for today (Sunday's) updates. 

Updates for Cape emergency organizations, towns and police and fire departments will be posted on the updated Sunday page as received.

19-year-old nabbed by witness after mugging two women in Falmouth Wal-Mart parking lot

19-year-old nabbed by witness after mugging two women in Falmouth Wal-Mart parking lot

72-year-old woman and daughter fight off armed teen

FALMOUTH - Falmouth police responded to the Wal-Mart parking lot of Route 28 for a reported robbery in progress just before 8 p.m. Wednesday night, according to a Falmouth police release. A Falmouth mother and daughter told responding officers they had been accosted by a male suspect who fled with the contents of one of the women's purses.

Both the 72-year-old mother and 53-year-old daughter were transported to Falmouth Hospital for the treatment of injuries sustained in the attack.

The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Dana Steven Cusolito, was chased down and tackled by a witness on Spring Bars Road, police said. A passing motorist stopped and helped the man hold Cusolito until officers arrived.

The two women positively identified Cusolito who was arrested and charged with two counts armed robbery, assault and battery with injury on a person over 60 years of age, assault and battery with bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.  He will be arraigned in Falmouth District Court Thursday.

Source: Falmouth Police Department.

Pennsylvania teen charged with attempted arson in Wellfleet; Harwich car crash leads to pot bust, distribution charges; Three injured in Cotuit car vs. pole; New YPD school resources officer at Mattacheese Middle School

Three injured in Cotuit car vs. pole Wednesday

COTUIT - Around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, three people were injured when their car crashed into a telephone pole near 871 Main Street in Cotuit. One of the victim's injuries are reportedly serious.

Barnstable police are investigating the cause of the single-car crash.

David G. Curran photo and report.

Pennsylvania teen charged with attempted arson in Wellfleet

WELLFLEET - Tuesday evening, just after 9 p.m., Wellfleet officers responded to a reported fire at Uncle Tim's Bridge on Commercial Street, according to a Wellfleet police release. The first officer to arrive at the footbridge put out a 4' x 4' grassy area on fire.  Wellfleet firefighters arrived to confirm the fire was properly extinguished.  There was no damage to the bridge, police said.

While attending to the fire, police learned  that a group of people were detaining a suspect. The group told police they had witnessed the person, identified as Martin Tritle, 17, of Westchester, PA setting the fire. As a result of witness accounts and an on scene investigation, it was determined that Tritle had set the fire near Uncle Tim's Bridge. Police believe Tritle used matches to light the fire.

Tritle was arrested and transported to the Wellfleet Police Station. He was charged with attempted arson and will be arraigned in Orleans District Court Wednesday. According to police, additional charges may follow.

Source: Wellfleet Police Department.

Harwich car crash leads to pot bust, distribution charges

Michael Foster called the police and told them he needed to get "important papers" out of his car after it had been towed. HPD booking photo.

HARWICH - Just after 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, Harwich officers responded to a single-car crash on Route 124 near Seymour Road, according to a Harwich police release.  The driver of a Mazda sedan, identified as Michael Foster, 21, of Brewster, struck and fractured a utility pole causing power lines to fall.

NSTAR and Verizon were called in to repair the pole and Silver Cloud Towing removed the car from the scene.  After the car had been towed, Officer Eric Geake began a vehicle inventory and discovered several containers of marijuana, baggies and a portable scale--all items commonly used in the illegal sale and distribution of drugs. 

According to police, Foster called the station and told officers he needed to retrieve some "very important papers" from his car. Upon arrival at the station, Foster was taken into custody and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He was arraigned in Orleans District Court the same day.

A drug sniffing K9 from the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office assisted with the investigation, police said.

A portion of Route 124 was closed for 8 hours while the utility pole was repaired.

Source: Harwich Police Department.

School resource officer position reinstated at Mattacheese Middle School in West Yarmouth

WEST YARMOUTH - As the new school year is set to begin, the Yarmouth Police Department has announced the reinstatement of the school resource officer position at Mattacheese Middle School. According to Deputy Police Chief Steven G. Xiarhos, Patrol Officer Sean Brewer has been chosen for the position.  Newly-appointed SRO (School Resources Officer) Brewer is a 9-year veteran of the Yarmouth police force. He is currently attending specialized SRO training.

Mattacheese Middle School has not had an SRO since the position was eliminated in 2008 due to budget cuts. Yarmouth Police Chief Frank G. Frederickson and Dennis-Yarmouth Superintendent of Schools Carol Woodbury worked together to reinstate the position. To do so, the administrative teams at both Mattacheese and Wixon Middle Schools were reorganized and three positions were eliminated.

SRO Brewer will be considered a part of the administrative team and will work closely with school officials on police and security matters, according to Deputy Chief Xiarhos. Aside from the 2008 budget cuts at Mattacheese, Yarmouth police have had an SRO in both middle schools and D-Y Regional High School for 24 years.  The deputy chief held the position as the first Yarmouth SRO at D-Y High School in 1987.  Today, SRO Nicholas Pasquarosa has held the position at the high school since 1994.

Dennis Detective/SRO Patrick McCaffrey has been at Wixon Middle School in South Dennis and D-Y Regional High School for three years. The Dennis SRO program began in 1994.

SRO Brewer may be contacted at Mattacheese at 508-778-7979 or at brewers@dy-regional.k12.ma.us. 

Source: Yarmouth Police Department.

Yarmouth police search for naked man seen masturbating on nature trail; Barnstable man arrested, charged with statutory rape, indecent assault and child enticement

Yarmouth police search for naked man seen masturbating on nature trail Monday;

YARMOUTH PORT - Just after 4 p.m. on Monday, officers responded to the report of a naked man masturbating on the natural trails behind the Yarmouth Port Post Office off Route 6A, according to a Yarmouth police release.  Officers did not locate the suspect during a search of all the established trails in the area. The trails are maintained by the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth. 

The witness who reported the man to police described him as white, approximately 50-years-old, 5'10", with gray hair and a gray beard. The man was wearing only a black backpack and shoes.

Yarmouth police advise the use of caution for those walking the trails. Anyone with information about the unidentified man are asked to contact the Yarmouth police at 508-775-0445 or tips@yarmouthpolice.com.

Source: Yarmouth Police Department.

Barnstable man arrested, charged with statutory rape, indecent assault and child enticement

HYANNIS - Monday, Barnstable police arrested 54-year-old Stephen B. Lindberg, of 69 J B Drive in Marstons Mills, charging him with ten counts of statutory rape, indecent assault and battery, child enticement, two counts of indecent exposure and violation of a protective order, according to a Barnstable police release.  Police began investigating on August 8 when Lindberg was accused of  repeatedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. 

Lindberg, who was the girl's vocal/performance coach, and who also is the musical director of  the Unity Church of Light in Hyannis, began coaching the girl in 2007 when she was ten.  According to the young victim, the alleged sexual assaults began in 2010 and continued through the end of June 2011. Lindberg, who once toured as a keyboard player with country singer Billy Dean, and has extensive ties with local performers and performance venues, was featured in a Cape Cod Chronicle article in 2008.

According to police, another 14-year-old female victim came forward and Falmouth police are investigating. It is expected that additional charges will be forthcoming.

Lindberg was arrested by Barnstable police on Monday after being released from Cape Cod Hospital where he was being treated after a single-car crash that occurred on August 8.

Lindberg was arraigned in Barnstable District Court Monday, police said.

Anyone with information about Lindberg or the investigation is asked to contact Barnstable Detective Therese Gallant at 508-778-3820.

Source: Barnstable Police Department.

Arrest made in Harwich weekend pellet gun shooting; Thirteen arrests last week in Yarmouth

Arrest made in Harwich weekend pellet gun shooting

Stephen Sirois. HPD booking photo.

HARWICH - The Harwich police have made an arrest following a pellet gun shooting that occurred Sunday night at a motel in South Harwich, according to a Harwich police release. Stephen Sirois, 23, of Long Pond Drive in Harwich, was arrested late Sunday evening after allegedly shooting another man with a pellet gun. According to police, Sirois confronted the victim at a South Harwich motel about the man's treatment of his mother, then shot him with a pellet gun. The victim was transported to Cape Cod Hospital by the Harwich Fire Department for treatment of injuries to his face and neck.

Police located Sirois at his mother's house in Dennis, shortly after the incident Sunday night. He voluntarily agreed to be interviewed at that Harwich Police Station and was subsequently placed under arrest by Detective Michael Porter and charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, police said.

Sirois was released on $200 cash bail and was arraigned on Monday in Orleans District Court.

Source: Harwich Police Department.

Thirteen arrests in Yarmouth last week

L to r: Damien C. Hatfield-Lyon, David P. Pacheco, Christopher W. Paquin and Karen M. Proia. YPD booking photos.

YARMOUTH - During the period of of Monday, August 15 through Monday, August 22, there were thirteen arrests in Yarmouth. During that period, officers responded to 957 service calls, of which 40 were motor vehicle crashes, 183 were motor vehicle stops and 7 were domestic violence incidents.

The four individuals below, were arrested during the week:

On Friday, just after 5 p.m., Karen M. Proia, 44, of 81 Glenwood Road in Brewster, was arrested by Patrol Investigators Erica Wenberg and Philip Magnuson, with the assistance of Det. Christopher Kent and Lt. Patrick Carty in the parking lot of the Shell Station on Station Avenue in South Yarmouth. Proia, who according to police, has a lengthy criminal record, is accused of punching a 30-year-old woman in the face and stealing her money at the gas station. Proia was charged with felony robbery and assault and battery. She was arraigned in Barnstable District Court Monday.

Around 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, Yarmouth police responded to the report of a man with a weapon at the Cape Cod Condominium Complex at 91 Route 28 in West Yarmouth. According to police, officers as well as members of the Yarmouth Fire Department, have responded to hundreds of calls at the complex over the past several years. Upon arrival, Patrol Investigators Christopher Van Ness, Scott Lundgren and Philip Magnuson, arrested 33-year-old Damien C. Hatfield-Lyon, of Lewis Road in West Yarmouth.  Hatfield-Lyon was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon and was arraigned in Barnstable District Court Monday. Patrol investigators were assisted by Officers Richard Fichter, Brendan Carnes, Diane Wells and Kevin Antonovitch, Patrol Sergeant Kalil Boghdan, a Barnstable Police K9 Unit and a Barnstable County crime scene investigator.

Just after 8 p.m. Sunday night, Detectives Russell Giammarco and Stephen Renzi and Patrol Officer Christopher Marino, conducted a traffic stop on Wendward Way in West Yarmouth. As a result of the stop, 19-year-old Christopher W. Paquin, of 65 East Washington Street in North Attleboro, was placed under arrest on four outstanding arrest warrants issued by Attleboro District Court.

Also this week, Patrol Investigator Erica Wenberg, Patrol Officer Kevin Antonovitch and Detective Stephen Renzi arrested David P. Pacheco, 43, of 639 Route 28 in West Yarmouth, at a home on Ivanhoe Road in West Yarmouth on two outstanding warrants for assault and battery and felony assault and battery.

Source: Yarmouth Police Department.

Wareham man arrested after firing handgun during domestic incident

Wareham man arrested after firing handgun during domestic incident

WAREHAM - Saturday night, Wareham police arrested Michael Fula, 27, of 173 Tihonet Road in Wareham during a vehicle stop in the area of Mill Pond Station, according to a Wareham police release. Police were searching for Fula after a domestic incident on Friday, in which he allegedly fired a handgun in the direction of his live-in girlfriend. Fula's girlfriend was not injured during the incident, police said.

Fula was placed under arrest during the 9:30 p.m. stop. During his arrest, officers confiscated $1,200 in cash. A half hour later, according to police, a search warrant was obtained for Fula's Tihonet Road home. Although the handgun used on Friday was not recovered, police seized handgun clips, ammunition and 39 oxycodone pills without a doctor's prescription. Officers also recovered a boat and motor that had been stolen from a Wareham resident earlier this summer.

Fula was arraigned in Wareham District Court Monday on the following charges: assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), possession of ammunition without an FID card, receiving stolen property and possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute.

Source: Wareham Police Department.

Authorities search for missing Rhode Island woman in Eastham; Expired registration leads to oxycodone trafficking arrest in Hyannis Saturday; Nantucket police seek stabbing suspect

Authorities search for missing Rhode Island woman in Eastham

   A MA State Police helicopter flies over Eastham Monday morning as the search continues for missing Rachel Collins. David G. Curran photo.

Police are searching for a missing woman identified as Rachel Collins of West Warwick. Photo courtesy of the Eastham police.

NORTH EASTHAM - The National Park Service, Eastham Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and the Coast Guard are searching for a missing woman in the area of Nauset Light Beach, according to an Eastham police release. The woman, identified as 37-year-old Rachel Collins of West Warwick, Rhode Island, parked her vehicle in the Nauset Light Beach parking lot sometime between late Friday evening and early Saturday morning.

A roommate of Ms. Collins reported her missing to West Warwick police around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.  West Warwick police in turn contacted Eastham police after learning the missing woman's vehicle registration had been queried by the Outer Cape department.

A search of the Nauset Light Beach parking lot, the water and surrounding areas began Sunday morning. MA State Police K9 Units, Eastham officers and National Park Service rangers searched the ground, while a MA State Police helicopter with infrared radar searched from above. The Coast Guard searched the shoreline with side scanning sonar and a MA State Police dive team onboard, according to police.

According to Eastham Police Chief Edward Kulhawik, the search continues today.  Anyone with information about Ms. Collins or her whereabouts is asked to contact the Eastham police at 508-255-0551.

Source: Eastham Police Department.

   Authorities continue the search for a missing RI woman Monday. Video by David G. Curran.

Expired registration leads to oxycodone trafficking arrest in Hyannis Saturday

HYANNIS - While conducting a plain clothes operation on Main Street Saturday night around 7:20 p.m., members of the Barnstable Street Crime Unit, noticed a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe with a registration that had expired in February, according to a Barnstable police release.  The SCU members, Officer Matt Blondin and Barnstable Deputy Sheriff Michael Huse, pulled the driver over in the parking lot of 500 Main Street.

The driver, identified as Alexander Mitis, 28, of West Yarmouth, showed the officers a valid driver's license, but did not have a valid registration and the vehicle was towed.  Prior to towing the Tahoe, a bag of oxycodone tablets and a canister of chemical mace were found during a vehicle inventory. According to police, Mitis does not have a license to possess the mace. 

Mitis was placed under arrest and charged with trafficking a Class B drug (oxycodone) 28-100 grams, drug violation in a school zone, unlawful possession of a chemical substance and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. He was transported to the Barnstable Police Station where he was booked, then released on $2,500 cash bail, police said.  He will be arraigned in Barnstable District Court Monday.

Source: Barnstable Police Department.

Nantucket police seek stabbing suspect

   The Nantucket police are looking for Marco Merlos (above, l to r: booking photo and leaving the Muse late Thursday night). Photos courtesy of the Nantucket police.

NANTUCKET - The Nantucket police are searching for an island resident wanted for stabbing a man just after midnight on Friday. According to a Nantucket police release, Marco Merlos (aka Marco Merlos-Santos), 24, of 2 Sea Fox Circle in Nantucket is alleged to have stabbed 24-year-old Joaquin Gonzalez, outside the Muse nightclub. Gonzalez was allegedly stabbed in the stomach during a dispute over a woman both men had dated.

According to police, an arrest warrant has been issued for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  The victim was transported to Nantucket Cottage Hospital, where he is reported to be in good condition.

Merlos is described as a Hispanic male, 5'8", 150 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Merlos or his whereabouts is asked to contact Nantucket police at 508-228-1212 or 911.

Source: Nantucket Police Department.