HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS – [HN VIDEO NOTES] – Barnstable Police patrol officers had their hands full last evening shortly after 10:00 p.m. when they responded to the Hyannis Package Store for a report of a stolen purse. According to the woman who called, one of her stolen credit cards had just been used during a transaction inside the liquor store.

Police arrived moments later after dispatch received a second call about the woman and her friend causing a disturbance inside the store. Prior to the officers’ arrival, the two women had reportedly become impatient about not being able to immediately review the store’s surveillance footage. One of the women then allegedly punched and knocked something over on the store’s counter, which alarmed the store owner… and which also made him temporarily unwilling to cooperate with the women.

Once police were on scene, the women and store staff were separated. Officers were then able to check the video footage in order get a description of the person who used the woman’s credit card.  (The process of reviewing the 15-minute segments of footage was time consuming.)  A description was eventually put out for a white male, possibly Hispanic, wearing a white (or gray) hoodie… with a large build. He was seen driving away in a gray colored Chevy Equinox (later updated to possibly being a dark colored Ford Escape).

Both women were very upset about the stolen “purse” and its contents. The purse contained a sum of cash, along with identification and credit cards, according to the women. A woman named Antonette said they were both from the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. She also professed that they were traveling CNAs, staying here locally for a couple of days before moving on to another state.

About half an hour into the investigation, the owner of the purse reportedly revealed to police that her 9mm handgun was inside the purse when it was stolen. This, of course, opened up an entirely new can of worms.

Police were still investigating the theft at the time of this report. The firearm revelation opened up new questions about the legality of the admitted firearm possession. Was the woman licensed to be carrying a firearm within the Commonwealth? etc.

And to complicated matters even more, the other woman with the victim, the one who introduced herself as Antonette (see following HN Video), is accused of Disorderly Conduct and A&B on a police officer (a BPD Sergeant assisting on scene). HN did not witness the alleged disorderly conduct and battery. She was arrested, placed in handcuffs, and transported to BPD Headquarters for booking. “Antonette” was bailed out of jail about an hour and a half after her arrest.

In a B.O.L.O. put out to surrounding police departments, the stolen “purse” is now described as actually being a fanny pack. The firearm is described as actually being a black 9mm handgun. The purse was said to have been stolen from a vehicle in Hyannis while the women were inside a local restaurant.

It was a bizarre scene. At times, I observed both women raise their voices and become animated about the police officers who had been trying to get to the bottom of things.  (The women did not think officers were moving fast enough.) The officers were trying to be helpful but first had to have a word with the women about the store’s video footage allegedly showing one of them punch something on the store’s counter. Both women were calm when speaking with HN and others on scene… when officers were inside the store examining the surveillance footage. Things seemed calm when HN returned to the news vehicle. And at that point, officers had apparently been working constructively with the women, investigating the reported theft… but then something allegedly happened. Upon walking back to the scene, HN was dismayed to observe Antonette being placed in handcuffs.  What happened?

It was a confusing scene… which is still under investigation.  Emotions were definitely high at times.  One police officer said he believes there is likely more to this story…

… and we shall see.  Compared to earlier, both women appeared subdued while walking out of police headquarters this morning.  A handgun had been reported stolen but neither of the two were certain of the firearm’s make or model, according to sources.

DEVELOPING.

The following HN Video highlights a confusing scene…

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by Olivia Newton-John… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]

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