Press Releases
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
August 24, 2016 – Male Arrested on Cocaine Distribution Charge
On Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at approximately 1700 HRS, detectives assigned to the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force initiated a motor vehicle stop related to a drug investigation in the “Crab Creek” parking lot on Beach Road in Edgartown. The operator of the vehicle, who was also the target of the investigation, was Arthur M. Castro, 21, of Edgartown. Mr. Castro was being investigated for the distribution of cocaine on Martha’s Vineyard.
A subsequent search of the vehicle by detectives revealed (5) individual plastic bags that contained a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine. The suspected cocaine was located concealed inside a cigarette pack that was tucked inside the plastic covering under the steering wheel.
As a result of this investigation, Arthur M. Castro was placed under arrest for Possession of a Class B Substance (Cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute. He was arraigned on August 25, 2016 in the Edgartown District Court.
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
August 23, 2016 – Male Arrested on Cocaine Distribution Charge
On Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016, at approximately 6:15 pm, officers assigned to the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force executed a search warrant that was issued by the Edgartown District Court. The search warrant was issued to search a 2010 Infinity FX35 and the registered owner, Everton G. Facey, formally of Jamaica, for cocaine and proceeds relating to the distribution and sales of cocaine. Mr. Facey has been under investigation by the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force for the past several months for his involvement in cocaine distribution.
Officers initiated a motor vehicle stop and executed the search warrant as Mr. Facey left his residence located at 35 Eleventh Street South. The location of the stop was at the intersection of Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road and Eleventh Street South in the Ocean Heights area of Edgartown. A fully marked Edgartown Police cruiser stopped traffic at the intersection as Mr. Facey approached Edgartown Road in the Infinity FX35.
Officers then approached Facey and escorted him out of the vehicle. As Mr. Facey was assisted out of the vehicle several small plastic bags that contained a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine fell out of the vehicle and on to the ground. A search of Mr. Facey’s vehicle and the area where he was stopped revealed 24 small plastic bags of a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine.
Officers then applied for a second search warrant from the Edgartown District Court for Mr. Facey’s residence, 35 Eleventh Street South, where he rents a room. A search pursuant to the second search warrant revealed drug paraphernalia and packaging materials which are consistent with drug distribution.
As a result of this investigation, Everton G. Facey was placed under arrest for Possession of a Class B Substance (Cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute. He is currently being held at the Dukes County Jail on $5,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment in the Edgartown District Court on Thursday, August 25, 2016.
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
At 7:26 pm on July 29th, Edgartown Police and Rescue units were dispatched to a 3 vehicle crash with injuries on West Tisbury Road near Oyster Pond Road. A SUV operated by Edson DeOliveira (07/11/81) of Tisbury rear-ended another vehicle, causing that vehicle to crash into another. All three vehicles were damaged, and two vehicles had to be towed away from the scene. Two parties were transported to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital by ambulance, and released shortly thereafter with minor injuries. DeOliveira is being cited with Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
Wednesday June 15, 2016
We realize that the tragic loss of life in Orlando has generated a national discussion about how to prevent such senseless acts in the future. The Edgartown Police Department wants to assure you that we are constantly striving to remain prepared for all contingencies that might affect our community. The Martha’s Vineyard Tactical Response Team (TRT) trains continuously to respond to critical incidents that may exceed the capabilities of our usual patrol force. The team also acts to train the island’s patrol officers in tactics for Active Shooter Response, and recently Edgartown Police Officer Jamie Craig and several additional TRT members became certified to instruct our citizens in Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRAZE). The CRAZE curriculum, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy, provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.
We are currently attempting to gauge interest in this training program within the community. If you think that your business or organization could benefit from the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training program, please let us know by commenting on this post.
Those interested in previewing the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy may wish to view the video below, entitled “Surviving an Active Shooter Event.”
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
Tuesday June 7, 2016
At approximately 11:00 AM Edgartown Police and Fire Department Rescue personnel were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at the ‘triangle’ intersection (Beach road and Edgartown/Vineyard Haven Road). The accident involved a VTA transit bus and a passenger vehicle.
The VTA bus had approximately 30 passengers on board; Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Tisbury ambulances and EMS personnel transported seven passengers to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for what appeared to all be minor injuries.
Both vehicles were traveling inbound towards Upper Main Street. The passenger vehicle had stopped at the stop sign at the end of Edg/VH road. The passenger vehicle then attempted to make a U-turn onto Beach Road and cut in front of the VTA bus that was traveling inbound along Beach Road. The VTA bus was unable to avoid the collision.
The operator of the passenger vehicle, Mark Allen Anderson (59 y/o), Fargo, ND, was determined to be at fault and cited for failure to yield at the intersection.
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
Saturday May 21, 2016
Early this morning shortly after 2:00 AM Officer Trudel attempted to initiate a traffic stop on West Tisbury Road.
The vehicle in question failed to stop and fled down Bennett Way.
The vehicle in question was found a short time later. The operator had crashed into a tree, and the vehicle had rolled over on to its roof.
The operator was transported to the hospital, and was treated for minor injuries.
This incident is still under investigation.
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
On January 15, 2016 at approximately 12:14 hours, the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force arrested 38-year-old Eric Bills, Onset, MA, for the distribution of a Class A drug (heroin). This was a result of a month long narcotics investigation conducted by members of the MVDTF.
During the afternoon of January 15, 2106 members of the MVDTF executed a search warrant in the area of Cook Rd., Tisbury, MA. The search warrant authorized officers to search Mr. Bills. At this time members of the MVDTF observed Mr. Bills attempting to meet with a known and admitted heroin user. This transaction was interrupted by several MVDTF members. As officers approached Mr. Bills, he dropped two individually wrapped bags containing a hard brown substance believed to be heroin. Mr. Bills was handcuffed and then questioned. Mr. Bills eventually admitted the heroin was for his personal use and he was not a seller.
Bills was transported to the Dukes County House of Corrections. Bills faces charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Substance (Heroin) and Conspiracy to violate drug laws.
This investigation remains open.
Mr. Bills
Edgartown Police Department
72 Pease’s Point Way, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone (508) 627-4343 Fax (508) 627-4577
edgartownpd@comcast.net
Press Release
Monday, September 07, 2015
SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION
On September 5, 2015 at approximately 0142/hrs Edgartown Police were dispatched to the area of Mercier Way in Katama. Upon arrival to the area officers located a 30/yr old female being assisted by two other female friends. The 30/yr old female was emotionally distraught and reported to officers that she had been raped in a nearby residence. The female victim was then transported by ambulance to the Martha’s Vineyard hospital.
The female victim was interviewed by officers at the hospital shortly thereafter and reported the following: She and her friends had met a group of men in town that evening and were invited back to their rental house after the bar had closed. At the house the female victim went into a bedroom alone with the assailant. At some point the female victim became uncomfortable with the situation and tried to leave the bedroom. She reported that she was then held down and raped. When she was able to leave the room she reported that her assailant told her that he had a gun or guns in the house and would kill her if she told anyone about the incident.
Officers were able to work with the victim and her friends and identify her assailant as 27/yr old, Adam M. Smith, Berkley, CA. A background check into Smith revealed a past incident where he made a threatening Facebook post to kill police officers by “blowing their brains out”.
Based on the reported incident and the suspect’s history the Martha’s Vineyard Law Enforcement Council Tactical Response Team was called out to assist Edgartown Police officers with securing the residence and taking the suspect into custody.
At approximately 0745/hrs Adam M. Smith was arrested and charged with Rape (3 counts), threats to commit a crime (murder), and intimidation of a witness. He is currently being held at the Dukes County House of Correction on $100,000 bail. He will be arraigned in Edgartown District Court tomorrow.