Home Break-Ins, Man Allegedly Punches Dog in Face, Garage Fires & More Regional News

Walpole

Walpole Police arrested a Maple Street man on multiple charges stemming from a domestic incident Sunday that resulted in the man allegedly pushing his girlfriend, grappling with the woman for a 9-month-old baby boy and punching a dog repeatedly in the face during a drunken argument, police said.

Christopher R. DeChellis, 36, of Maple Street, was arrested after the alleged altercation, police said, and charged with domestic assault and battery, animal cruelty and child endangerment.

“He had returned home in [an intoxicated] condition and that appears to be what fueled the initial verbal argument and then that verbal argument escalated to the point where he grabbed the baby from the victim. There was somewhat of a struggle there,” Walpole Deputy Police Chief John Carmichael said.

“He began to use some vulgar language towards his girlfriend. Ended up pushing her, knocking her to the ground,” said Carmichael. “The physical part continued to progress. He was grabbing onto her continuously and at one point he ended up grabbing her by the neck.”

During the altercation the dog in the house "turned on DeChellis," according to police, in order to protect the victim and the baby and may have saved them from further harm.

"It’s almost like the dog was trying to protect her and then he began to just start punching the dog in the face repeatedly,” Carmichael said. “As he focused his attention on the dog the victim was able to escape from the house and get to a neighbor’s house."

Both the woman and the baby were uninjured, police said.

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Foxborough

Foxborough Police Investigating 2 More Home Break-Ins; Call Upon Community for Assistance

With two more residential housebreaks being reported in Foxborough Monday, Police Chief Edward O’Leary is asking the community to be vigilant during the daytime, especially in the afternoon.

O’Leary said the first of two housebreaks Monday occurred on Alger Road just before 2 p.m.

“They set off the alarm when they went but still managed to get to the master bedroom and scoop a jewelry box with a substantial amount of personal jewelry,” O’Leary said.

The second housebreak occurred around 5:45 p.m. on Prospect Street.

“A resident of Prospect Street called the police because he found his house had been entered,” O’Leary said.

Police are investigating both housebreaks and are working on a lead from a witness statement on Prospect Street. Police believe to have a description of a female suspect allegedly involved in the housebreaks as well as the motor vehicle reportedly used.

“In both incidents a four-door, gray colored vehicle, believed to be an older model Toyota Corolla – approximately 10-15 years old – was seen in the area,” O’Leary said. “A white female was seen with the vehicle by a neighbor on Prospect Street before the second break was discovered. She appeared to be in her mid 20s, long black hair, weighing 110-115 pounds. The neighbor stated she told him she was looking for her lost bulldog, “Daisy,” and that her father was currently sick.”

O’Leary said the entire community needs to be vigilant during the daytime, especially in the afternoon, when these housebreaks are occurring.

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Sharon

Sharon Fire Department Contains Garage Fire on High Street

The Sharon Fire Department responded to a call at a High Street home Tuesday, after receiving reports of a fire in a two-car garage.

Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire in the garage, approximately 20 feet from the house. One car and three motorcycles were in the garage, along with one other vehicle just outside the garage.

Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the garage and vehicles, according to reports. The Canton Fire Department assisted with extinguishing the blaze.

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Canton

Massachusetts State Police Make Six Arrests at Canton Checkpoint

The Massachusetts State Police conducted a checkpoint on Neponset Street in Canton Friday, April 5. State Police conducted a checkpoint on Neponset Street in Canton, April 5, resulting in the arrest of six people for OUI alcohol and drugs with two criminal summons and issued 88 civil motor vehicle citations.

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Mansfield

Mansfield Man Charged in Fatal New Hampshire Car Crash

A Mansfield man involved in a fatal car accident in Claremont, N.H. has been arrested by policeaccording to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Luke Garlinger, 29, of Mansfield was arrested and charged on Wednesday with negligent homicide for an accident that took place on April 7.

In a press release, Claremont Police Chief Alexander Scott said that a preliminary report showed that both speed and alcohol were involved in the crash that resulted in one death.

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Easton

A two-alarm fire caused extensive damage to a Bay Road garage and house Monday afternoon.

Thanks in part to two good Samaritans, though, nobody was injured.

Easton Fire Chief Kevin Partridge said residents Mike Boyd and Bob Cummings were driving by 331 Bay Road when they saw the entire garage of the house engulfed in flames.

Resident Robert Thorton was outside calling to his wife Althea, who was inside the house. She wasn't hearing him and was unaware of the fire to the adjacent garage.

Boyd and Cummings sprung to action - entering the house and escorting Anthea Thorton from the building.

"I want to thank them," Partridge said. "We’re very appreciative of them."

Partridge said there was approximately $250-300 thousand worth of damage. A 1999 Toyota Avalon burned along with the garage and the side of the house. Fire officials, led by Lieutenant Mike Green, were able to put down the fire before it caused extreme damage to the main house. The garage was not salvageable.

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Norton

Husband of Norton Town Clerk Arrested for Attempted Murder

The husband of Town Clerk Danielle Sicard was arrested for allegedly trying to murder her Thursday.

James T. Sicard, age 44, of Norton, was placed under arrest by Norton police after an investigation stemming from a disturbance occurring at his residence earlier that day.

“The victim reported that Sicard twisted her neck several times during the altercation, prevented her from leaving and attempted to suffocate her with a towel,” said Norton Lieutenant Todd Jackson. "After the struggle, she was able to leave the residence and call police.” Danielle Sicard was treated at Sturdy Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital for her injuries. She suffered bruises to her arms, neck and face. She was later released and appeared in the Attleboro District Court on Friday to testify as a witness.

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Attleboro

Schools Superintendent Alleges Threats over Lunch Scandal

Anger over the national headline-making scandal in which Coelho Middle School students were denied lunch for having insufficient accounts has led to threats against school district administrators, The Sun Chronicle reported.

Attleboro school district Superintendent Pia Durkin said at the Wednesday night Coelho PTO meeting she, her family and Coelho principal Andrew Boles had been physically threatened, The Chronicle reported. She declined to elaborate on the threats, according to the newspaper, but The Chronicle reported, "it was apparent that Internet commentary played a role."

Earlier in the week, several parents and a student passionately spoke about the scandal at the school committee meeting. One parent said this was not the first time her child was denied lunch. Another parent said at least one school administrator was involved in the incident and alleged a cover-up.

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