SAFETY ADVISORY: East End “abduction attempt…”
Top photo: Officers confront suspect with potential dangerous weapon kept in reach of driver’s seat.
Hyannis – Barnstable Police are keeping an eye on a middle-aged Hyannis man after he was accused of following and attempting to abduct a young female out walking all by herself.
At approximately 1:30pm today, Officers Brian Morrison and Jonathan Pass responded to School Street after a woman felt threatened and called for help.
According to witnesses, the female felt threatened after a stranger driving a blue Buick Century persistently followed her and tried to coax her into his vehicle.
Officer Morrison was just blocks away when the call was first broadcast. The suspect was still on scene when he arrived and the patrolman’s heads-up rapid response very likely prevented the incident from escalating further.
Police confronted the man as he was still sitting nearby in his Buick. After further investigation, officers learned the suspect had a questionable history. A record check disclosed the man had recently been tried on a rape charge. The suspect was not convicted on those charges. Further details on the past rape case are still unknown and it’s uncertain whether the suspect had reached some type of plea deal, or whether he was completely cleared.
Police also learned the suspect resides on Main Street, a very short distance from today’s scene in the East End.
Although there was no physical contact, the suspect may still be summoned later for criminal harassment. Officers were fairly certain the suspect did in fact attempt to lure the victim into his vehicle and they indend to file a harassment report. Do to witness statements and other circumstances the sentiment on scene was that the suspect should go before a judge to explain his actions.
Friends of the victim quickly arrived on scene to provide comfort and support. The victim was visibly upset and still frightened when her male friend and officers confronted the suspect one more time before letting him loose for the time being.
The victim is from out of town and staying at a local hotel.
The incident remains under investigation by Barnstable Police.
All suspects are innocent until charged and proven guilty…
Hyannis News will provide updates as they become available
Safety advisory: Although Hyannis use to be a safer place for young women to walk alone in the daytime, taking extra precautions is never a bad idea. It’s always best not to walk alone in the downtown area, especially on the side streets. If you have to walk alone day or night, it’s wise to remain vigilant and ready for the potential of a wide range of street crimes. Being unaware of the increased dangers to any pedestrian in the downtown area could be a costly and tragic mistake.
9/15/2013
Robert Bastille, HyannisNews.com
