Wareham Police arrest 7 before and during fireworks festivities

Jul 9, 2018

Wareham Police arrested seven people on July 7, dispersing a crowd following an argument and dealing with a suspect who tried head-butting an officer, according to police.

Ryan Hanscome, 22, homeless, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. Officers Christopher Corner and Robert Mclain approached Hanscome, who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, at approximately 4:35 p.m. near 270 Onset Ave.

After a brief chase, officers attempted to place Hanscome into custody. He resisted arrest by kicking the officers, striking Corner, and attempting to head-butt them, police said. A Taser was deployed and he was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and held pending arraignment at Wareham District Court.

Later that night, during the fireworks festivities at about 8:10 p.m., Officer Ryan Turner was directing traffic when he saw Michael Thompson, 28, of Weymouth standing at the corner of South Bolevard and Onset Avenue. Turner was aware Thompson was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants and arrested him. Thompson had five active warrants and was transported to the police department where he was held for court.

Moments later, Mark Oliveira, 45, of Fall River was arrested by Officer Jennifer Braley and charged with disorderly conduct following a disturbance at the corner of Pleasant and Onset Avenue.

At about 8:35 p.m., at the corner of Onset and Union Avenue, two woman were involved in an argument that officers stopped. Within a few seconds, one of the woman, Ashleigh Fowler, loudly challenged the other woman to a fight. Officers again tried to move them along. However, when it appeared an assault was imminent, Fowler was arrested. She thrashed about, resisting arrest and was finally handcuffed after a brief struggle, police said.

While she was being arrested many people tried to interfere, causing several officers to move in and disperse the crowd. Fowler, 26, of West Wareham, was arrested by Officer Aaron Pacheco and Acting Police Chief John Walcek. She was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.

At about 9:15 p.m., officers responded to Over Jordan Road for a disturbance. As officers Charles Pillsbury and Joseph Cardoza approached, they observed hundreds of people walking away from the water after the fireworks display had ended. Officers found Robert Akins, 52, of East Wareham, yelling, swearing, and waving his arms wildly. Police said officers asked him to calm down in front of 30 people, but he refused. Akins was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

During the evening, two other men were arrested on domestic violence charges, however state law forbids disclosure of the particulars of the incident, police noted.