UPDATE – 1/20/2021 – According Sergeant Troy Perry of the Barnstable Police Department, Patrolman Nolan O’Melia and his K9 partner Alex initiated a track of the suspected attempted robbery suspect from the area of Basset Lane, the place where the fleeing male was seen last. The track took officers west along Main Street to a room at the Hyannis Plaza Hotel (Formally known as the International Inn) at 662 Main Street. The track helped uncover new surveillance video evidence which showed the suspect, dressed in the clothing seen at the crime scene (see below initial HN Report for suspect description). The new surveillance video reportedly shows the suspect running toward the Hyannis Plaza Hotel and hotel room in question. Because of information uncovered by the K9 unit’s track, investigating Patrolman Dan Ruth was able to apply for a warrant, which led to the arrest of Ryan Dubee, age 36, formally of Sandwich, now described as being homeless and staying at Hyannis area hotels. Dubee is being charged with Attempted Unarmed Robbery, Assault and Battery, and Malicious Destruction of Property. Police also recovered a red plaid jacket, believed to have been worn by the suspect when the alleged crime was committed.

Dubee was arraigned in Barnstable District Court today and his bail was set at $1000. His bail on a previous case was revoked and he is being held at the Barnstable County House
of Correction.

…………………………………

INITIAL HN COVERAGE, PHOTOS, AND DETAILS:

HYANNIS – [HN NOTES] – Nothing fires up a quiet pandemic-restricted business district like a good old fashioned strong-arm robbery attempt.

The call came in around 10:30 p.m., for a fight in the area of Embargo, a “world class” tapas joint, that would typically be very busy at the time of this particular call, even on a chilly January evening – as was seemingly the case last evening, as one would say there was a bit of a “nip” in the air. But to my dismay, as I spun HN’s news vehicle onto Main Street, to get a closer look at this reported “mano a mano,” described as being between two North American male bipeds, I was reminded of everything “COVID” – reminded of everything horrible about these sad unprecedented times, finding, once again, an uncharacteristically empty and closed-down Main Street – closed-down because of the latest pandemic restrictions on restaurants, that say all restaurants must close by 9:30 p.m.. The entire street looked like a ghost town. All the restaurants, including Embargo, were empty and dark, but certainly in compliance with the state’s safety mandates.

So, where was this fight? Where was the big fracas? I, after all, do fancy myself a “wildlife photographer,” and although my subject matter has been rather limited to the Homo sapien species in recent years, I am prepared for any eventuality… in fact, just last week, I believe I spotted an agitated Neanderthal howling at someone in traffic… while not completely rare in these parts, I am always game for a candid still, one that captures the mouth-breather’s primitive living habits in their modern habitat. Whether it be howling in traffic, or bludgeoning another male rival on the sidewalk, my job is to have the camera ready at all times… you know, in the name of journalism, science, and the betterment of local living conditions for all creatures, great and small…

… but I digress.

Upon closer inspection of these uncharacteristically barren and lonely downtown surroundings, I noticed a police squad car parked in front of AJ Mart, a convenience store located at 459 Main Street. The only people around were a couple of cops, an un-engaged Uber driver, and the store’s clerk. A Barnstable Police Officer was busy reviewing store surveillance footage while speaking with other police cruisers in the area. According to radio communications and sources on scene, officers had probable cause for the arrest of a white male (see above photo insert), wearing a red and black plaid jacket, a red winter hat, a black mask (in compliance with COVID safety orders), dark pants, brown work boots, and a black backpack.

According to reports and allegations, the red-plaid clad suspect entered the store demanding money from a clerk who was there all by himself. While demanding cash, the suspect allegedly broke a transparent plastic divider, fabricated to be a COVID safety divider between the customers and cashier. The clerk reportedly believes he recognized the suspect as a homeless man named John, who has been known to patronize the establishment under more congenial circumstances. At some point, a scuffle ensued where the suspect is alleged to have punched the clerk before fleeing out onto Main Street, scampering off in the direction of the West End. The clerk did not appear injured – no ambulance was summoned – and there was reportedly no money taken.

As other responding officers began to saturate the downtown area, a Barnstable Police K9 unit began tracking from the area of Basset Lane, the last place the suspect was seen fleeing. There was a brief track that held some promise, as the scent led officers in the direction of the West End intersection between Main Street and South Street.

While officers were scrambling to find their suspect, a local homeless male, a rather spry middle-aged fella, and a true Hytonian, as he was willing to “kick ass,” as most Hytonians are – who mentioned to HN he was still a bit cold, even while being heavily bundled up in just about all the layers he owned – expressed his eagerness to find and tackle the alleged scoundrel who had just tried to rob the one-and-only store open for business in that part of the downtown area at that particular time of day, quite likely a favorite spot where homeless individuals can stop in to not only shop, but to warm up from the cold (it’s “any port in a storm” when you’re on the streets in January). The homeless man was eager to help, asking everyone, including a police officer, if they were okay. Given a brief description of the suspect and what had allegedly just occurred, along with a quick glimpse at a surveillance image, the homeless man was also fired up – along with everyone else – and he began asking, “which way, which way!” Until someone finally pointed out the suspect could be anywhere at this point, which actually gave the man a renewed sense of purpose, and at least something to keep him warm, at least for a little bit, as he took off down the sidewalk, arms at this side, flexing… he was pumped! He was a man on a mission. A man on the hunt! In parting, one of the officers was kind enough to say, “go get ’em.”

When everything, including the immediate search, was said and done, about an hour after the initial call, the store clerk was not assuaged of any burning desire for justice, the police had not yet found their man… and I, unfortunately, did not have a chance to capture the most prized of all wildlife photos, the Hytown Perp Walk.

HN REMINDER: All Homo sapiens, including Neanderthals, are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette music is brought to you by The Doors… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT!]

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