People are working out here… [HN PHOTOS]

HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS – [HN NOTES & MULLINGS ON THE MATTER]

HN attempted to monitor a sudden burst of police activity across the Cape shortly after midnight this morning. State and Sandwich Police were responding to a disturbance in the area of Scusset Beach, where an individual in his late teens possibly brandished or pointed a firearm at someone. In a separate matter, Barnstable Police were looking for a pickup truck reportedly seen driving on the wrong side of the road. Meanwhile, Yarmouth Police were responding to a number of things, including a father chasing away a vehicle possibly just seen doing a “hand-to-hand” transaction with his son. Ambulances were also busy zipping around for a wide array of health emergencies. And as can be seen in the above photo, Barnstable patrol officers had their hands full in the downtown area, where they had received a report of someone down on the sidewalk, possibly just involved in some type of altercation. A number of units quickly saturated the area searching for a wounded man when HN came across a senior citizen on the pavement, partially leaning against a building in the 500 block. The man’s face was cut up and covered with blood. I asked him what had happened, and he said he had just taken a fall while walking, and that he had recently been released from the hospital. Two patrolwomen arrived seconds later and began looking into the matter. The older gentleman ended up being transported to CCH. The call switched from being a possible Assault & Battery to a man needing medical services.

About 10 to 15 minutes later, Barnstable Patrol Officers responded to a violent domestic disturbance that spilled out into the street in the area of Pitcher’s Way. (See following HN photos…) A woman was hurt and eventually evaluated by Hyannis Rescue. An adult male reportedly had just fled on foot. Officers called for a K9 unit from Yarmouth and set up a perimeter. About 15 minutes into the call, a patrolman spotted and arrested the suspect without incident. The responding K9 unit was told he could stand down. A member of the Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit responded to photograph evidence. The male suspect is currently on probation for another matter, according to radio transmissions.

Meanwhile, police just over the bridge in the area of Scusset Beach were still investigating and trying to locate suspects… HN had lost track of the situation, so it’s uncertain how it had panned out.

By around 2:00 a.m., emergency frequencies across the Cape went silent for a brief period… until Falmouth Police responded to a single vehicle crash with moderate damage… it didn’t sound like anyone was seriously injured, so HN didn’t respond…

That’s life during the wee hours, everything quiet and a city sound asleep, then whammo, all-points abruptly descend into pandemonium, with HN making split second calculations and decisions about where best to respond…

Right now it’s 3:00 a.m. and everything seems to have settled down for the moment. I’m looking at a paperback on the seat next to me. The dog seems content and is taking a well-deserved nap. It might be a good time to read another chapter, I think, but I’m worried I’ll open the book, start reading and things will explode again. I hate stopping mid-chapter. But it’s one of those gambles I take every single overnight. 😉

Officers needed to chase after and tackle man with a history of violence…

WEST YARMOUTH, Massachusetts – In a police report filed by Officer Jefferson Willis of the Yarmouth Police, at around 9:41 p.m., Thursday evening, he received information that Darren Devine, 32, currently of West Yarmouth, was inside a bar in the vicinity of Route 28 and Winslow Gray Road. Devine reportedly had two active felony arrest warrants. Officer Willis informed several other officers due to Devine reportedly having a long, violent criminal history… including violence toward law enforcement officers… and he has also been known to carry weapons.

When officers arrived to investigate, they learned Devine had just left the bar. They searched the area and Officer Willis spotted a vehicle backed into a parking space in the area. Devine was observed in the passenger seat.

Officer Willis reportedly exited his cruiser, drew his firearm and pointed it at Devine, yelling, “Yarmouth Police show me your hands!”

Devine reportedly did not comply with commands, exited the vehicle and began running from Officer Willis.

Devine ran out into Route 28 traffic, causing motorists to slow in order to avoid hitting him.

Additional officers were already in the area to assist.

Devine ran behind a building and through a parking lot, where Officer Willis reportedly was able to catch up and tackle him to the ground. A brief scuffle ensued. Officers were eventually able to gain control of his hands that had reportedly been pinned underneath him.

Once safely handcuffed, a search of Devine revealed he had been carrying a knife, according to the police report.

Devine ended up being treated at Cape Cod Hospital for minor scrapes to his face.

In addition to the two arrest warrants, Devine was charged with Disorderly Conduct. He was arraigned in Barnstable District Court Friday morning, according to a YPD media statement.

WAREHAM MAN ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT &
MIDDLEBORO MAN ARRESTED FOR DOWNTOWN STABBING

[PLYMOUTH PD MEDIA STATEMENT]

“At approximately 11PM on March 18th, Dispatch received a call about an erratic operator in South Plymouth. Officer Kevin Ciavarra spotted the vehicle in the Ponds of Plymouth and watched with his blue lights activated as the suspect vehicle did donuts around a median at Raymond Road and Little Sandy Pond Road.

A short, low speed pursuit began.

Officer Ciavarra witnessed the suspect go up onto a lawn, then back onto Little Sandy Pond Road. The suspect vehicle fishtailed, was unable to maintain control on the dirt roadway, and struck a tree.

The operator, Geoffrey Chandler [above photo, left], 37, of Wareham fled on foot. Mr. Chandler was quickly apprehended by Officer Ciavarra. An investigation would reveal that he was operating under the influence.

He was arrested and charged with OUI Liquor, Negligent Operation of a M/V, Failure to Stop for Police, and Destruction of Property Under $1200.00.

Mr. Chandler also had two outstanding warrants for the following charges: Threats, Strangulation, Witness Intimidation, A&B, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, A&B, Larceny over 1200.00, and a second count of Strangulation.

[From the same evening this past Monday… ]

At approximately 11PM on March 18th, Officers responded to a large fight at a Downtown restaurant. Upon arrival, they quelled the disturbance, began rendering aid to two people who had been stabbed, and began their investigation.

CCTV footage showed large amounts of patrons actively fighting and probable cause existed to arrest Richard Velez [above photo, right], 27, of Middleboro for stabbing one person and menacing another with a knife.

Mr. Velez was charged with A&B with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon and Disturbing the Peace, subsequent offense.

The Investigation is ongoing and more charges may be filed against other patrons.”

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by Poncho Sanchez w/ Hugh Masekela… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]