MASHPEE - Fire officials are investigating the cause of a basement fire in Mashpee. Flames broke out at 78 Main Street (Route 130) about 5 a.m. No injuries were reported. The Red Cross is providing temporarily shelter for the displaced residents.
CO detector saves Hyannis family
HYANNIS - A Hyannis family is safe thanks to their carbon monoxide detector. The alarm went off Saturday evening and at first the family thought it was malfunctioning. When firefighters arrived they found elevated levels of the potentially deadly gas. A malfunctioning wood stove was the apparent culprit.
Three arrested on drug charges in Hyannis
HYANNIS - Barnstable Police report that on Friday at approximately 8:12 p.m., two members of the Barnstable Street Crime Unit (SCU) were on patrol in Hyannis. They observed a small white Toyota pickup truck operating erratically crossing marked lanes on Barnstable Road. They further observed the operator, later identified as Sean M. Sprague, 38, of Yarmouth (left) throw a lighted cigarette from the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped on Winter Street. The vehicle contained two passengers. They were identified as Gregory A. Hines, 51, of Hyannis (center) and Tara J. Rapacki, 29, of Marstons Mills (right). Both Sprague and Hines are known to area law enforcement. Both have a lengthy criminal history including narcotics violation convictions in Barnstable District Court. The SCU members observed an open beer can inside the vehicle. They also suspected Sprague was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. During the follow up investigation Hines was found in possession of a hypodermic needle hidden in his waist area. Sprague also had an “uncapped” hypodermic needle hidden on his person. During a “pat-frisk” of SPRAGUE an SCU members suffered a puncture wound to his hand from the hypodermic needle. Rapacki was also in possession of a hypodermic and drug paraphernalia. The vehicle contained additional hypodermic needles.
Sprague was charged with operating under influence of drugs, operating with open container of alcohol, conspiracy to violate the narcotics laws, operating without a license, throwing lighted cigarette out of vehicle, marked lanes and seatbelt violation, Hines was charged with conspiracy to violate the narcotics laws, open container of alcohol in public-Town ordinance, seatbelt violation, and Rapacki was charged with conspiracy to violate the narcotics laws, open container of alcohol in public-Town ordinance, seatbelt violation
All three were transported to the Barnstable Police Station for booking. During the booking procedure a SCU member located three grams of cocaine hidden on Hines. As a result he was charged with possession of a class B substance/cocaine with intent to distribute. Hines has a previous conviction in Barnstable District Court for possession of class B/cocaine with intent to distribute. If convicted on this new charge he will face an enhanced penalty.
The injured SCU member was transported to Cape Cod Hospital. He was treated and released. His injuries will require him to take medication for the next several days. Hypodermic needles posse a great risk to law enforcement members that encounter them. They are often discovered hidden on people, their possession, or in motor vehicle. In 2006, Massachusetts de-criminalized the possession of hypodermic needles. Currently, if you are over 18 years of age you can purchase them at a pharmacy without a prescription and/or medical reason to possess them. Hypodermic needles also pose a risk to the general public and/or their pets. Since the de-criminalization, the ready access to hypodermic needles seems to have made them almost disposable to IV drug users. The Barnstable Police Department has received numerous calls from members of the general public finding used, sometimes uncapped, hypodermic needles.
Rapacki was released on personal recognize for her appearance in Barnstable District Court Monday. Sprague is currently being held on a $1,000 cash bail, and Hines is also being held on a $2500 cash bail. Both will appear in Barnstable District Court on Monday.
Media release and mugshots furnished by Barnstable Police
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