NOW FREE ON LOW BAIL: Armed Suspect Who Kicked In Jewelry Store...

HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS – The man police say violently kicked open the door to a downtown Hyannis jewelry business while brandishing a firearm, smashed a display case, and stole an estimated $50,000 in gold and silver jewelry early Saturday is free again after posting what sources called “very low bail.” Diego Goncalves De Souza, 34, currently residing in Hyannis, was arrested at Logan Airport’s Terminal E on November 1 as he prepared to board a flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil. He faces charges tied to the break-in—and separate charges from a violent confrontation weeks earlier at Cape Cod Hospital during a mental-health evaluation.

The Jewelry Store Heist

According to a Barnstable Police report by Detective Eric Rogorzenski, officers were called to Guerra Jewelers at 33 Bassett Lane shortly after an alarm early on October 31. Owner Daniel Guerra found the front door forced open and a display case smashed.

Roughly 18 gold pendants, 18 gold chains, 25 gold rings, and 30 silver rings were missing. Guerra, who has worked in the jewelry trade for about 25 years and makes pieces by hand, told Hyannis News the $50,000 figure only reflects the value of the raw materials; the retail value would be roughly twice that. He said he and others in the local Brazilian community feel threatened after seeing surveillance video of the suspect repeatedly kicking the door while holding a handgun. (See surveillance video footage below…)

Video shows a tan/dark-skinned male about six feet tall, dressed entirely in black, wearing black skeleton gloves and black-and-white Nike sneakers, kicking the door until it gave way. Officers and a K-9 unit canvassed the area with negative results. A frequent customer later contacted Guerra after seeing initial Hyannis News coverage and provided a photo the possible suspect had just sent showing him with luggage and saying he was at the airport. Another image showed him wearing an all-gold ring with a cross and diamonds that was later “positively identified” as one of the stolen pieces.

Detectives also located a motorcycle registered to De Souza at a Yarmouth hotel. Hotel surveillance from roughly 25 minutes before the break-in reportedly showed him in the same dark clothing, gloves, and sneakers.

A temporary arrest warrant was obtained. Homeland Security confirmed a man matching De Souza’s name and date of birth was booked on a Sunday morning 9 a.m. flight from Boston to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Barnstable detectives, with Massachusetts State Police and Customs and Border Protection notified, approached him at Gate 11 in Terminal E just a couple of hours before the morning flight on November 1, placed him in handcuffs without incident, and took him into custody. He was later booked at Barnstable Police headquarters.

During booking he was wearing 15 pieces of jewelry later seized as evidence, including a gold ring with a cross and diamonds, several other gold and silver rings (some with diamonds), gold chains (one with a letter “M,” one with a lion), earrings, and a gold bracelet.

Earlier Hospital Assault

Barnstable police reports also detail a separate October 8 incident at Cape Cod Hospital. Patrolman Joshua Lovely responded after security guards reported being assaulted. De Souza, who worked at the hospital as a custodian, had been brought in by Hyannis Fire for a mental-health evaluation (which was reportedly requested by “officers” at an earlier call). He became agitated, argumentative, and was recording and photographing staff in an observation room—against hospital policy because of potential HIPAA issues in the ER. He refused to hand over his phone or show his gallery.

He reportedly lunged aggressively toward a physician’s assistant. Security guards moved in to restrain him. One guard reported being kicked barefoot in the left side of the face (bruising was observed and photographed) and then having De Souza wrap both legs around his neck in a leg-lock style choke, applying pressure with his shins and knees for about 15 seconds. The guard said he felt dazed after being freed. A second guard was kicked in the ribcage; the physician’s assistant reported being kicked in the chest. Both guards were admitted as patients, one still receiving treatment during the investigation. Staff eventually restrained and sedated De Souza.

Using a Portuguese translator, De Souza denied kicking anyone or applying a leg-lock. Video of the altercation reportedly exists. He was summonsed on charges including Strangulation, Assault and Battery on a Health Care Provider, and additional assault-and-battery counts involving the guards.

Monday Charges, Arraignment, and Release

For the jewelry-store case, De Souza was charged with Breaking and Entering a Building in the Nighttime for a Felony, Larceny Over $1,200, two counts of Vandalizing Property, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. He was held over the weekend and arraigned in Barnstable District Court on November 2. After the arraignment he was released on what was described as “very low bail.” (A police official is working on obtaining the actual cash bail amount for HN…)

Late Monday, a police source said they could not immediately confirm whether a firearm had been recovered… and that he would try to find out. Officials declined to comment on his immigration status, citing CORI restrictions. While writing this report, HN learned local agencies, including the Massachusetts State Police, are restricted from notifying ICE, even in cases of violent offenders, sexual predators, and repeat offenders. One official remarked they would be in “big trouble” if they ever did. Hyannis News has reached out to federal law enforcement contacts for additional information and will provide updates as they become available. Some sources indicated De Souza may have a prior criminal history extending to Brazil, and records show a person with the same name has had previous Massachusetts arrests. [DEVELOPING]

Hyannis News reminder: These are initial details drawn from police reports, radio transmissions, and sources. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The following video shows a man kicking in the door to Guerra Jewelers on Saturday morning. The HN photos that follow show the initial stages of the investigation at the crime scene.

[HYANNIS NEWS VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]