STOP FOR DEFECTIVE TAIL LIGHT GOES SOUTH: Passenger clung to the vehicle’s undercarriage, bit one officer’s hand, grabbed another’s Taser…
HYANNIS – On May 21st at about 11:00 p.m., Barnstable Patrolman Joe Green stopped a black 2009 Ford Expedition for a defective tail light on Airport Road, according to a report filed in Barnstable District Court.
The operator reportedly refused to identify himself or produce a driver’s license despite numerous requests. The operator was reportedly told he would be arrested if he didn’t either produce a driver’s license or his name. The operator reportedly continued to refuse to identify himself.
According to the report, the operator refused to exit the vehicle after being told he was being placed under arrest. During the entire encounter, the passenger reportedly was video recording with his cellphone and demanding officers to identify themselves. The passenger was told several times he was allowed to video record but that he was not allowed to interfere. The passenger reportedly continued to interrupt and demand answers to his questions.
The passenger reportedly kept telling the operator not to exit the vehicle, but the operator eventually complied and was taken into custody.
After the operator was placed in the back of a cruiser, officers advised the passenger that he too was under arrest for interfering with them. The passenger then refused to unbuckle his seat belt and exit the vehicle so officers could also place him under arrest along with the operator.
The following excerpt from the BPD report describes what allegedly happened next:
“[The passenger] actively resisted attempts to remove him from the vehicle. He was eventually removed from the vehicle. He continued to actively resist being handcuffed. [The passenger] was able to climb underneath the vehicle and hold onto the vehicle’s undercarriage. During this time he continued to use his cellular telephone to video record. All verbal attempts to get him to come out from underneath the vehicle met with negative results. [The passenger’s] level of resistance escalated from “non compliance” to physical. [The passenger then bit a Barnstable Police Lieutenant on the hand during the struggle underneath the vehicle.] [The passenger] grabbed and kicked [two patrolmen] during the struggle. At various points [the two patrolmen] deployed their taser. The passenger was able to grab [one officer’s] taser and dislodge/remove it’s cartridge. [The Barnstable Police Lieutenant] deployed OC spray in an attempt [to] get him to comply with negative results. Eventually after approximately 10 minutes of active physical resistance the passenger became fatigued. He was removed from underneath the vehicle and secured in handcuffs without further incident.”
Both individuals were transported back to Barnstable Police Headquarters for booking. The vehicle was also towed back to the BPD.
The operator reportedly refused to comply with booking questions and was placed in a holding cell.
A Barnstable Police narcotic K-9 officer reportedly located about 8 grams of crack cocaine inside a backpack inside the vehicle. The drugs were allegedly packaged in a manner consistent with distribution. $2020.00 in US currency was also secured as evidence.
The passenger’s cellphone was secured as evidence.
The operator, Clifford Ostane, age 36, of Brighton was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Defective Tail Light, Resisting/Obstructing Arrest, Failure to Produce a Driver’s License to Police, Operating with a Revoked License (subsequent offense) and Possession of a Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute.
The passenger, Kenneth Providence, age 21, of Brighton was charged with Interfering with a Police Officer, Resisting/Obstructing Arrest, 3 counts of Assault & Battery on a Police Officer, Disarming a Police Officer, and Possession of a Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute.
Both subjects were held overnight at the Barnstable Police station and transported this morning to Barnstable District Court for arraignment.
According to documents filed in court, Ostane was convicted for Operating After Suspension in Yarmouth on or about 8/4/2017.
Ostane was also convicted in Falmouth District Court for Possession to Distribute a Class B Substance on or about 8/22/2005.
According to Barnstable District Court documents, Providence was eventually released after posting $3500 bail after his arraignment.
No further details available at the time of this report.
* All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Booking photos courtesy of the Barnstable Police Department.
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