Suspect Shot by Police No Stranger to Criminal Justice System

HYANNIS- The media room at the Barnstable Police Facility was jammed-packed with reporters at 3:00pm today.  

According to a statement read by Chief Paul MacDonald, as well as other sources, Hyannis News learned the following: 

At approximately 8:00am two members of the Barnstable Police Department were transporting four prisoners to District Court.  One of the prisoners was Anthony Roberts, age 22, of Centerville, MA. 

Roberts had been held over the weekend at the Barnstable Police lockup.  He was arrested Friday, February 16, 2007 for various charges, including Forgery, Receiving Stolen Property, Identity Fraud, and other motor vehicle charges.   

Roberts has been identified as a suspect who will be charged with numerous Breaking and Enterings into vehicles and dwellings. 

Roberts has outstanding matters in Taunton District Court and is currently under indictment in Plymouth for Trafficking a Class B Substance. 

Roberts has a lengthy criminal history, which includes crimes of violence and property related crimes… During transport to court witnesses said Roberts formulated an escape plan.  Roberts is reportedly double-jointed and managed to free one of his hands from his shackles. 

Upon arrival at court, Roberts assaulted a police officer and then fled on foot. Roberts ran towards Route 6A, where he forced an adult male out of his vehicle. 

Two officers encountered Roberts in this vehicle telling him to exit numerous times.  Despite being given opportunities to surrender, he ignored officers and attempted to flee a parking lot in the vehicle. 

The driver of a Cape Cod Times delivery van attempted to block Roberts from exiting the parking lot.  Roberts struck the van with such high impact that witnesses said it moved the van backwards enough to open up a hole in order to flee. 

At one point a member of the BPD attempted to remove Roberts from the car.  The attempt failed when the car ran over an island dislodging the officer from the vehicle. 

Roberts continued to accelerate towards Route 6A. 

Witnesses described that he was driving like a maniac and thought he was trying to run police over. 

A Barnstable Police Officer fired once, striking Roberts once on the left side. 

Roberts continued to drive across Route 6A, crashing into a wall at the entrance of the Barnstable Superior Court House. 

BPD and Court Officers approached Roberts who was still attempting to flee on foot.  They were able to restrain Roberts and render first aid.   

With the assistance of Barnstable Rescue, and followed closely by at least one Barnstable Police cruiser, Roberts was transported and loaded on a Med Flight helicopter. 

Roberts was flown to a Boston Hospital where he is receiving treatment for a single gunshot wound.  He is listed as “Critical” and underwent at least one surgery.   

Roberts is currently in Barnstable Police Custody at the Hospital.  He is being further charged with Escape, Car Jacking, Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapon, and other charges pending further investigation. 

Two Barnstable Police Officers are on paid administrative leave, and both their weapons have been sieized, which is in accordance with Department policy whenever a firearm is discharged in the line of duty. 

Officers are receiving counseling, but no officers were physically injured during the incident.