Zip Code - 02655 |
Greetings from Skyfield by the Sea, In Cotuit, The Most Beautiful Village on Cape Cod. Come share with us the beautiful surroundings of Skyfield by the Sea Miniature Horse Farm, B&B, and Artisans Studio.
A lovely century-old home just minutes from Cape beaches and bays, only ten minutes from Hyannis or Falmouth.
A quarter mile south of Route 28, Skyfield by The Sea is off the beaten track but close to the best Cape Cod has to offer. Just five minutes from Mashpee Commons and half way between Hyannis and Falmouth, ten minutes each.
151 Main Street, Cotuit, MA
phone: 508-420-2343
map / details
Barnstable Police announce promotions Thursday March 28, 2024 |
HYANNIS ? The Barnstable Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of Sergeant Robert Bitinas to the Rank of Lieutenant and Officers Jeffrey Jackson and Adam Ruggieri to the rank of Sergeant. Lieutenant Robert Bitinas is a 15-year member of the Barnstable Police Department who was raised in Lowell Massachusetts. Prior to joining the [?]
The post Barnstable Police announce promotions appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
WANTED CAPE MAN TREED IN BOXFORD Thursday March 28, 2024 |
[HN NOTES & MULLINGS ON THE MATTER]
Like an eager pack of Bluetick Coonhounds around an Alabama Oak, cops in Boxford, Massachusetts had a wanted man treed and completely surrounded. Darren Devine, 32, most recently of West Yarmouth, was wanted on a bench warrant out of Barnstable.
(Devine also had a similar interaction with Yarmouth Police Officers about six days ago, but I'll get to that?)
In a phone interview, Boxford Police Chief James Riter said Devine had been pacing back and forth along a wide fallen pine tree, suspended about ten feet off the ground by other trees.
?Shoot me out of the damn tree!? a frustrated Devine reportedly told the officers below after about ten minutes of pacing while considering his next move. He was surrounded by cops in all directions. There was no place to run.
?You're not going anywhere. Today's not your day,? Chief Riter replied, looking up at Devine, a cornered desperado?
???
With a history of violence, Devine apparently had no qualms about making a sudden reckless move just six days prior when confronted by a Yarmouth patrolman. Last Thursday evening, Devine had been wanted on two felony arrest warrants when spotted in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked near a West Yarmouth barroom. Patrolman Jefferson Willis had exited his cruiser, drew his firearm and pointed it at Devine, yelling, ?Yarmouth Police show me your hands!? According to a police report, Devine didn't comply with Patrolman Jefferson's commands, exited the vehicle and bolted into Route 28 traffic, causing motorists to abruptly slow in order to avoid hitting him. Additional Yarmouth officers were already in the area to assist when Devine sprinted behind a building and through a parking lot, where Officer Willis was able to catch up and tackle him to the ground. A scuffle ensued, but officers were eventually able to gain control of his hands which had been tucked underneath him. Once safely handcuffed, a search of Devine revealed he had been carrying a knife, according to the police report.
According Chief Riter, Tuesday's arrest in Boxford had to be carefully planned out. Having read earlier media accounts of Devine's previous volatile encounters with police, he wasn't taking any chances and called for additional officers, including several from his own department. Chief Riter commands a small force of 25 full time and reserve officers. Boxford is a rural Massachusetts town with a population of approximately 8000, and it's not unusual for Chief Riter's squad to work closely with surrounding towns. A number of Topsfield Police Officers, along with several state troopers from a nearby barracks, were all more than happy to show up and assist.
Tuesday's shrinking dragnet was closing in on Devine's treetop hideout.
Chief Riter's department had first been alerted about Devine upon receiving a suspicious person call Monday morning. Boxford officers eventually located and spoke with Devine who was dressed in camouflage near Masconomet Regional High School Monday morning. Devine reportedly told officers something about looking for his cellphone and his intentions to walk to the nearby town of Topsfield.
With nearby middle and high school students outside practicing spring sports in the afternoon, officers felt a need to find out more about the camouflaged stranger. Later, Boxford officers spoke with Topsfield Officers who had also received suspicious person calls about Devine. There had even been a report of a man fitting Devine's description attending a Saturday Mass at a nearby church in Topsfield. He looked out of place, and there were questions about whether the newly arrived Devine lookalike had actually been in attendance for sincere, heartfelt worship? (but nobody really knows what his real intentions were, and only God can be the judge of a thing like that, the contents of a man's heart). But still, something didn't feel right. Officers dug deeper and learned about Devine's recent attempt to flee Yarmouth Police, along with his ultimate arrest after an agitated scuffle.
They also learned about the recent active Barnstable bench warrant for his arrest.
More and more concerned about nearby middle and high school students, Chief Riter and another officer began checking school grounds and outbuildings around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday before the two schools opened.
Having grown up in the area, Chief Riter knows the area like the back of his hand. If still in the area, and if his suspicions were correct, there were only so many places Devine could hideout and still be too near to the arriving school children. The Ipswich River, where Chief Riter swam as a child, formed a natural barrier to the school grounds. The nearby Route 95 wildlife exclusion fencing provided a pretty good second barrier, (but later, upon locating Devine's camp, a couple state troopers would position themselves on the other side of the highway fence just in case.)
Having cleared the nearest school outbuildings and structures, Chief Riter began scanning the tree line along the campus perimeter, and that's when something caught his eye. It was camouflage clothing hanging from a tree. Up high. And it looked like the jacket Devine had been wearing the day before. ?Found him,? crossed the Chief's worried mind.
Devine's ass was now in a sling, literally.
Completely surrounded, officers looked up at Devine's hammock slung between the branches above.
From his hammock, Devine was reluctant to respond to the officers' uninvited wake-up calls. They called and called, but it didn't work. They even blew a whistle to no avail. No immediate response?
This initial encounter had happened around 8:00 a.m., when officers were certain all school children were safely inside their classrooms. And out of an additional abundance of caution, the nearby middle and high schools (Over 2000 kids from three towns) were placed on lockdown should Devine ever manage to flee in their direction.
The careful plan paid off, and officers were able to eventually convince Devine there really was no way out. He finally climbed down and went along peacefully.
Chief Riter noted Devine's preparation and survival skills, especially his knowledge of ropes and knots. He even had a fur shawl that he had picked up somewhere along the way. But there were also oddities in his gear, like outdated car fuses and clothing that didn't seem to fit with camp life.
How Devine had come to land in the Boxford woods is anyone's guess. He may have been heading further north. In fact, his mother reportedly told Chief Riter she believes he was heading to Vermont.
One thing is certain, a warrant had been issued because Devine didn't show up for court. ?It never should have happened,? Chief Riter told HN.
Chief Riter also pointed out that the children in his town are not accustomed to coming across random strangers camping in the woods of Boxford. Their possible shock from encountering a stranger wanted by police worried him. His main concern was for the safety of the children.
According to a Yarmouth Police media statement from March of 2019, Darren Patrick Devine was wanted by the Provincetown Police Department on Arrest Warrants for violent crimes, including Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Breaking and Entering, and Destruction of Property. In their 2019 statement, the YPD wrote, ?Devine is dangerous and mentally unstable with a long violent criminal history in Massachusetts with 91 priors.?
In a way, Chief James Riter felt he had been training his entire life for Tuesday's capture of Darren Devine. He had grown up playing in those woods during the late 70s and 80s. Along with friends, he swam in the local Ipswich River. He knows the layout of the land down to every minute detail, including a nearby ancient burial ground with the ancient graves of the area's founding families?
? but most importantly, and from my point of view, Chief Riter cares about his small hometown, along with the families and children who are bound to follow in his footsteps.
And no matter where one may find themselves, from Boxford to Key Largo, caring about the wellbeing of others makes all the difference.
P.S. ? Today's Hytown Vignette is brought to you by Sarah Vaughan? [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]
* Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. |
Flood Watch from 2 AM Thursday through late Thursday night Wednesday March 27, 2024 |
Flood Watch Flood Watch National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 307 PM EDT Wed Mar 27 2024 ?FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM EDT THURSDAY THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT? * WHAT?Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE?Portions of northern Connecticut, including the following area, Windham CT, Massachusetts, including the following areas, Barnstable, Bristol, [?]
The post Flood Watch from 2 AM Thursday through late Thursday night appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
Mass State Police robot dog ?Roscoe? took bullets at Hyannis standoff on March 6th Wednesday March 27, 2024 |
HYANNIS ? Were are learning new details about a standoff on St. Francis Circle in Hyannis on March 6th. Mass State Police report that at noon on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Bomb Squad Troopers John Ragosa, Michael Rockett, and Stephan McKay responded to a residence at 24 St. Francis Circle in Barnstable to assist a [?]
The post Mass State Police robot dog ?Roscoe? took bullets at Hyannis standoff on March 6th appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
CCH on trauma alert after driver emerges from crash not visible from roadway? [HN photos] Wednesday March 27, 2024 |
MARSTONS MILLS ? [HN PHOTO NOTES] ? The driver of a SUV that left Route 28 and crashed about 15 to 20 yards into the woods last evening was transported to Cape Cod Hospital under a trauma alert.
At about 11:30 p.m., Barnstable Police cruisers were dispatched to the single vehicle crash that was described as being near the intersection with South County Road.
The male driver was able to walk out of the woods and was being evaluated by EMTs when HN arrived on scene. It's uncertain if the driver called police but it's a good thing someone did because the heavily damaged vehicle was embedded among trees and vegetation, and not visible from the roadway. One tree had been snapped and knocked over by the crash.
The driver was transported to the emergency room after EMTs became concerned about the possibility of internal injuries. While the ambulance was en route, medical personnel apparently upgraded the situation to a trauma alert (according to radio transmissions) due to the violent force of the crash and the possible internal impact on the patient. The driver had been conscious and speaking with EMTs prior to be placed inside the ambulance on a stretcher.
A member of the Barnstable County Sheriff's Crime Scene Unit responded to take photos of the crash scene.
Tow truck operators needed to use a chainsaw to free the vehicle? and Route 28 was briefly shut down while the wreckage was being yanked down the embankment onto a flatbed.
The Barnstable Police officer in charge of the investigation responded to CCH in order to check on the operator and to continue his inquiry into the cause of the crash.
The above HN photo notes are based on radio transmissions and observations on scene. HN will provide official updates as they become available.
P.S. ? Today's Hytown Vignette is brought to you by Quincy Jones? [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]
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Fire burns through container of lawn chairs in Hyannis Tuesday March 26, 2024 |
HYANNIS ? A fire burned a container of lawn chairs in Hyannis. The fire broke out in the rear of the Cape Codder Resort at 1225 Iyannough Road (Route 132). A Barnstable police officer arriving at the adjacent police station discovered the fire and called it in. Hyannis firefighters responded to douse the flames. No [?]
The post Fire burns through container of lawn chairs in Hyannis appeared first on CapeCod.com. |
MAN CHARGED WITH 2ND OFFENSE DRUNK DRIVING, ROLLED CAR, WAS UNCOOPERATIVE, VERBALLY INSULTED FEMALE SERGEANT: REPORTS SAY Tuesday March 26, 2024 |
Above photo sent in by HN reader?
YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS ? According to police reports filed in Barnstable District Court (see included reports below), at around 10:00 a.m. Saturday ? March 23, 2024 ? Yarmouth police and firefighters responded to Great Western Road in the area of Todd Road for a vehicle that had crashed and landed on its roof.
There reportedly was damage to a guardrail and a large tree? and the vehicle had come to rest upside-down near a utility shed at the edge of a golf course.
Remarkably, there were no initial reports of injuries.
Officer Jason Batchelder made contact with Christ Amezquita, who reportedly stated being the lone occupant/operator of the vehicle? and that he had swerved to avoid a car pulling out of Todd Road onto Great Western Road just prior to the crash.
Amezquita's behavior was described as being ?incredibly animated and erratic? toward first responders on scene.
Officers and witnesses were also reportedly concerned by what was described as ?a strong odor of alcoholic beverage? coming from Amezquita.
Amezquita reportedly was uncooperative while being investigated for alleged drunk driving, at one point reportedly saying he was not going to answer a question about whether he drank any alcohol prior to the crash.
After being arrested for suspicion of driving drunk, Amezqita reportedly then expressed a desire to get medical treatment and was taken to Cape Cod Hospital in an ambulance with a police officer onboard.
Amezquita's behavior reportedly continued to be ?erratic? at the hospital. Hospital staff reportedly drew his blood during the medical evaluation, which Officer Batchelder reportedly intends to subpoena as part of his investigation. Amezquita was eventually discharged from CCH and transported to YPD Headquarters to continue the booking process.
He reportedly refused to participate in a breath test.
According to a report filed by Sergeant Dianna Wells of the Yarmouth Police, Amezquita's behavior was ?all over the place? during the investigation at the scene. ?He screamed, he cried, he got angry,? according to her report. ?Between his roller coaster behavior and emotional outbursts, his slurred speech, the strong odor of alcohol coming from his mouth and his unsteadiness, there is no doubt in my mind that Amezquita was showing signs of severe intoxication and impairment and should not have been driving a motor vehicle,? her report continues.
[HN NOTE: It's important to mention that Yarmouth Police Officers were wearing body cameras during their investigation? and footage exists of their interactions with Amezquita should it be required in court.]
?While being secured on the stretcher, Amezquita made a comment insinuating he was being arrested instead of the other operator because he is Spanish,? according to Sgt. Wells' report.
The scene was reportedly a mess. After a member of the Sheriff's Crime Scene unit took photos, two tow trucks were needed to flip and remove the vehicle. The Yarmouth Fire Department also had to deal with fluid spills. ?A large amount of personnel and resources were used as a result of this incident,? according to Sgt. Wells' report.
Amezquita's behavior reportedly did not improve at police headquarters, according to Sgt. Wells' report:
?Eventually, Amezquita decided to call his mother. While on the phone with her, Amezquita spoke to her in Spanish, which is my native language. Amezquita was so impaired he could barely speak to her and just kept repeating, 'Mami, mami, mami, mami,' over and over. He then started [ ] speaking to me, saying I'm being disrespectful to him because he's Spanish. At this point, I started speaking to Amezquita in Spanish, which only angered him more and resulted in him calling me, 'Puta,' which means whore in Spanish [?]
I spoke with Amezquita's mother, in Spanish, and relayed all information to her. She stated she would attempt to contact a friend to come bail him out [?]
In all my years as a Sergeant and in the numerous booking processes I've conducted, I have yet to encounter someone who was as belligerent, disrespectful and difficult as Amezquita. It is my opinion Amezquita should absolutely not have been driving a motor vehicle in the state he was in and with his level of impairment.?
In a report filed by Officer Mary Gibney of the YPD, she wrote, ?Based on [witness] statement, the damage to the guardrails, and the mechanics of the crash, it appears that Amezquita was speeding and that the estimate by [witness] of 50 mph is very reasonable. The road is not posted where the crash occurred but based on the residential area, it would be considered thickly settled and recommended 30 mph.?
In regard to Saturday's crash and investigation, Christ A. Amezquita, 25, of Harwich was charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol ? 2nd Offense, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Marked Lanes Violation, and Speeding (greater than reasonable or proper).
According to additional court records, Amezquita received his first drunk driving charge in 2021. Which was eventually dismissed after a continuance without a finding in Falmouth District Court in 2023.
Amezquita was also has a charge of Disorderly Conduct on his record, which was also dismissed in 2021.
According to an Incident Report filed by Trooper Steven Culver of the Massachusetts Police, Amezquita received an E-Summons during a traffic stop in May of 2022 (see report below). Trooper Culver states, ?I approached the vehicle and asked the operator (Identified as Amezquita, Christ [?]) for his license and registration. The subject stated he was in trouble. I asked him why, and he stated because his license was suspended. I confirmed this to him and also advised him of the status of his registration as well. I contacted the Barracks [in Yarmouth] and requested a wrecker respond for the vehicle. Capeway towing arrived on scene and secured the vehicle. I issued subject [Amezquita] an E-Summons [?] for the following MV charges: 1. Op. after Suspension 2. Suspended Registration?
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* Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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