They did it again…
Hyannis – Once again police and fire officials are investigating a suspicious fire at 50 and 52 Fresh Holes Road.
The first fire was deemed arson and still remains unsolved. Click here to view video witness interviews and to read original 8/18/2013 story.
The first arson sent a disabled 89-year-old woman to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment related to smoke inhalation. The intentionally set fire also permanently displaced two families. One family was actually forced to sleep on the streets. Click here to read more about Tina’s story.
This morning’s fire was discovered by Barnstable Police just before 1am.
Hyannis and Centerville firefighters responded but could only contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighboring homes.
The duplex was vacant and no injuries were reported.
Top photo: This morning’s fire left the entire duplex completely gutted.
In other news, police busted up an illicit oxycodone operation and drug deal…
Barnstable Police Press Release:
On 10/16/13, Barnstable and Sandwich Detectives along with Agents from the DEA Cape Cod Task Force and the Cross Border Initiative arrested two individuals in Marstons Mills on drug charges. The arrests are the result of a joint federal/state investigation involving the distribution of oxycodone tablets on the Cape.
Pursuant to the investigation, BPD/SPD Detectives …and DEA Agents observed a suspicious meeting at 6 Sherwood Lane in Sandwich between members of the organization. At the conclusion of the meeting surveillance officers followed suspected oxycodone trafficker Nicole Cabral (age 25) as she left the residence and drove into a Marstons Mills neighborhood. As Cabral entered the neighborhood, Detectives observed her slow down to meet with another individual (Mario Gatto-age 31 of Marstons Mills) who was waiting in a motor vehicle.
Both Cabral and Gatto were subsequently stopped by investigators. Cabral was found to be in possession of 195 oxycodone tablets. When approached by Detectives, Cabral was attempting to destroy the evidence by dissolving the pills into a (beverage) container of liquid in the vehicle. Cabral was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act and Trafficking Oxycodone (18-36 gms). When Detectives stopped Mario Gatto, he was found to be in the process of trying to hide approximately $4500 in cash between the driver’s seat and center console of his vehicle. Note – $4500 would be an appropriate wholesale purchase price for the 195 pills seized from Cabral. Gatto was also found to be in possession of a small quantity of oxycodone pills. Gatto was arrested with Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act and Possession of Oxycodone With Intent to Distribute.
A second subject, who is yet to be fully identified, that left 6 Sherwood Lane following the meeting was stopped on Rt 3. Approximately $13,000 in cash was recovered from the subject’s motor vehicle.
Following the arrests, Barnstable Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence of Nicole Cabral located at 6 Sherwood Lane in Sandwich. Upon executing the warrant, Detectives recovered an additional 50 oxycodone pills, small quantities of cocaine, and approximately $1600 in cash. As a result of the search warrant, Cabral was also charged with Possession of Oxycodone and Cocaine With Intent to Distribute.
In other news, police responded to a report of an individual smoking crack behind the Federated Church on Main Street.
The suspect was gone when officers arrived but was later located to the rear of the “Baybridge Clubhouse.” Police were unable to confront the individual because they needed to have more probable cause.
According to the Hyannis Main Street “Business Improvement District” website, the “Baybridge Clubhouse is a community of individuals who recognize the impact of mental illness on its membership. We strive to create an environment conducive to growth through employment, education and meaningful relationships within the standards provided by the State of Massachusetts and the International Center for Clubhouse Development.”
The Baybridge Clubhouse is not without its share of calls for police services. It’s located at the corner of Center Street and Main Street, where the old Dumont Pharmacy used to be.
Attracting disruptive individuals to the downtown area is sore subject to those wishing to see a safer more family friendly Main Street area. One more conducive to attracting tourists and local business patrons…
Today’s crack smoking incident is especially disturbing due to a large group of local kindergarten students visiting the nearby area. The following photo shows the youngsters seated near the entrance to the village green, just one block away from today’s crackhead… and even closer to other junkies and criminally disruptive individuals. [The image is intentionally digitized and blurred to protect the identities of the young children]
It is the position of HyannisNews.com that the Main Street area is for families and law abiding citizens, young and old. There is no room for drugs, repeat violent offenders, or government sponsored agencies whose mission is to attract dangerously disruptive individuals to the heart of Hyannis.
Baybridge may have good intentions… and I believe there should be efforts to help the less fortunate amongst us… But so far, I have witnessed a nearly daily need for police services in relation to some of their “clients.”
Main Street needs to be a consistently safe and pleasant environment for the law abiding… period.
10/17/2013
Robert Bastille, HyannisNews.com
P.S. — Tonight’ HyTown Vignette is brought to you by Tennessee Ernie Ford and is dedicated to all the hard working HyTown poor to whom illicit drugs are NOT an option… God bless ya, and keep ya! [Press play]
