Area locked down after shots fired, man running from scene arrested… [Updated]
Hyannis – At about 7:30pm, reports of gunshots drew a heavy police response to the corner of Fresh Holes Road and Bearses Way.
No injuries reported…
A Spanish speaking witness told Hyannis News he heard 2 quick shots followed by a third… he also recognized the shots to be from a larger handgun, possibly a .45 caliber…
… it possibly could have been a large caliber revolver as well, due to the fact no shell casings were found.
Three separate K-9 units responded to attempt to locate the firearm, two from Barnstable, the other from Yarmouth…
Mark DeGrace, age 27, was said to be running from the scene when Officer Campbell caught up to and detained him near to where the shots were fired… [see top photo]
The shots were likely drug related.
DeGrace was found with drugs and a large amount of money.
One theory is it was Sunday night drug dealer collection time and a message needed to be sent when one customer didn’t pay up.
The possibility these may have been warning shots, as well as the poor lighting conditions, is one explanation why police were unable to locate bullet holes.
Another theory is that the shots could have been fired up in the air.
Barnstable Officers methodically combed the area, mainly trying to locate the firearm. The worst nightmare for cops would be a child locating a weapon while out playing.
It’s unfortunate this type of criminal activity happens in a family neighborhood with so many young children.
During last night’s investigation, an uncle was stopped by police while walking his young nephew home. Police explained there were police dogs searching and they did not want to risk anyone being bitten. Lieutenant Micheal Clark offered to escort the child the remainder of the way home, signaling back to the uncle when the child was relatively safe and sound inside the residence.
“Relatively safe and sound” because the young boy lives directly across the street from where the shots were reportedly fired…
Mark DeGrace is no stranger to police and has a lengthy record as well as affiliations with other area trouble makers. Lieutenant Clark arrested DeGrace just last week on a warrant…
As of now, no hard evidence was collected confirming the actual gunshots, just witness statements…
… DeGrace remains the lead suspect in last night’s “shooting.”
Officer Campbell transported Mark DeGrace back to police headquarters for booking. DeGrace will be charged with Possession of a Class D Substance with Intent to Distribute…
Additional charges may follow.
In other news:
According to witnesses, a shoplifter reportedly had to be tased earlier last night.
At approximately 5:30pm Barnstable Patrolwoman Parache confronted an uncooperative shoplifter attempting to flee Kmart.
Stephen Rafuse, age 36, was larger than Officer Parache, but that didn’t stop her from getting the job done.
I briefly spoke with Officer Parache and she attributed the arrest to good back up in the area. While others added she handled a volatile situation very well…
Stephen Rafuse was transported back to police headquarters where he was charged with Shoplifting, Disorderly Conduct, and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer.
A female subject was also reportedly placed under arrest and transported from the scene for Disorderly Conduct.
11/11/2013
Robert Bastille, HyannisNews.com
P.S. Last night’s HyTown Vignette is brought to you by The Breeders: [Press play]
