<p>North Water street in Edgartown was a scene of shattered glass, kicked-in fences, smashed Christmas light bulbs and beer bottles strewn through front lawns Friday morning.</p>
North Water street in Edgartown was a scene of shattered glass, kicked-in fences, smashed Christmas light bulbs, beer bottles and cans strewn through front lawns Friday morning after vandals damaged and destroyed property in the stately neighborhood of old whaling captain homes Thursday night.
The vandalism spree was connected to what police believe was a house party at a home on North Water street involving teens from off-Island.
Two teens were later arrested and charged with 13 counts of damaging or defacing property, a felony, Edgartown police said.
Police chief Bruce McNamee said his department received a complaint early Friday morning after a dog walker noticed some damage. Officers canvassed the area and found that at least 14 properties and five town-owned lampposts had been vandalized. In a press release issued later, police listed damaged property found on North Water, Morse and Cottage streets.
At a home at 86 North Water street, police found the back door open and damaged and a back window broken. Police said it appeared there had been a party there the night before.
“Just about every horizontal surface in there has some kind of Solo cup or bottle of some kind on it,” Chief McNamee said.
He said police found a dozen or so minors in the house, including the 16-year-old daughter of the homeowner. Most were from Greenwich, Conn., police said. There were no adults in the house at the time, they said.
After an investigation and interviews, police arrested Gavin Scotti 3rd, 18, of Greenwich, Conn., and a 17-year-old male whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile.
The rest of the group was scheduled to leave the Island on a chartered jet Friday, the chief said. The two males, whose names have not been released, were held in the Edgartown house of correction Friday morning before appearing in Edgartown district court. Because there was no sitting judge, both were released pending further appearances in court.
Chief McNamee said the house party is under investigation. He asked that any property owners who think damage to their home might have been overlooked contact the Edgartown police department. He also asked that homeowners with security cameras review footage from about four in the morning and look for two young white males to aid in the investigation.
Police said more charges may be sought.
Comments
Much more than coal in their
Disgusted EdgartownMuch more than coal in their stockings please !
Planning to leave the Island
Livid Lizzie EdgartownPlanning to leave the Island on a chartered jet Friday, eh? I don't think so!! Make the parents come and claim their juvenile delinquents. These kids deserve to be chewed out the whole return trip to Greenwich, Conn. Oh wait, they'll probably fly too... Never mind.
I agree with Livid Lizzie.
Frank Leonardo Oak BluffsI agree with Livid Lizzie..they need to sit there and stew a good while...private jet huh? let them pay for the damages and not allow the parents pay for the mess
I agree. Those kids should
Nina West TisburyI agree. Those kids should have been kept in jail and/or have a significant bail- especially for a felony. A few years ago a local young adult (20) was held over the Christmas holiday because he couldn’t post the $100 bail that was set. Mind you, he was peacefully arrested for an expired registration. Entitlement, privilege, and substance abuse are sorry excuses for inhumane behavior. This whole situation is very disheartening.
Everyone of the vandels
Priscilla Sinatra EdgartownEveryone of the vandels should be made to appear in court and pay for any and all damage.Some young people have no respect for others.
I want to apologize to the
Jen DunhamI want to apologize to the town of Edgartown and residents of North Water Street. I was the cab driver that took a large group to 86 North Water Street Thursday around 5pm from the airport to the house. As a former police officer my instincts were that they were all there just to party “for one girls birthday”.
I should have told the police what I thought was happening. Perhaps the vandalism could have been avoided. But alas I did not listen to my inner voice. I will always regret that.
You shouldn’t feel
Manths CTYou shouldn’t feel responsible, you did your job to take them there. You were trying not to assume and pass judgement and you’re not their parents. It’s unfortunate these kids fell right into the stereotype.
It’s not your fault in the
Ed CisekIt’s not your fault in the slightest, please don’t beat yourself up.
The video's should not be
Joseph Paul Uranker Oak BluffsThe video's should not be problem I know several who have them, for this type of behavior, there are a lot more than most will realize. They should be posted by the police on social media when they get them."e said police found a dozen or so minors in the house, including the 16-year-old daughter of the homeowner". There is something seriously wrong with going on now in America, in my opinion. They should be required to stay on Island at least until they until go to the court hearing.
“They should be posted by the
James A Washington DC“They should be posted by the police on social media when they get them...”
Conceding the value of enlisting the public in identifying all the culprits through such postings, I couldn’t help but think that those responsible could use any video posted to social media to create their own mementos of the evening for Instagram, Facebook, or whatever other (a)social platform they rely on to create feelings of belonging. Incidents such as these can help explain why the less fortunate and the country’s innumerable “undesirables” hold the rich and privileged in contempt.
That home was once owned by a
Bob EdgartownThat home was once owned by a preservation society and there are restrictions on what you can do with it on the inside as well as the outside. These were put in by the society and the new owners agreed to live by them. A check on the building should be made to protect it from harm.
These vandals and their
Mary Lou Savage Washington DCThese vandals and their parents might benefit from a good old-fashioned shunning. Obviously the parents were in the know, allowing use of the private plane. Shameful to so disrespect and harm your neighbors. Roll up the welcome map.
Nice Job EPD. We can always
Here we go again edgNice Job EPD. We can always count on the department to get the perpetrators. Note to gazette..you're a bit heavy handed on your censoring of comments.
We are working in the midst
Mark Lucier EdgartownWe are working in the midst of this mess. Lots of baffling questions for these Twerps. They came out of the house, went one way up the street smashing fences, ect., then turned around and went the other way doing the same thing at four o'clock in the morning, IN THE RAIN! They show up in a private plane, cab to the house; Where did all the booze come from? Who allowed the use of the plane? How in the Wide, Wide, World of Sports did this come about. Jeez.
Very sad occurrence but I am
June Manning AquinnahVery sad occurrence but I am sure the family knows nothing about the Social Host Liability Statute in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There is probably the same in Connecticut.
For those who work so hard to
Chuck EdgartownFor those who work so hard to keep their properties presentable, the thought that someone would just indiscriminately trash all our investment and time is a nightmare! All the parents are ultimately the guilty parties, but if these young people are allowed to get off with family paying the damages and the minors doing some kind of elitist Community Service in Greenwich.....then no real lesson will be learned. I have seen news stories talking of "unique punishments" meant to teach a lesson in life. After all the damages have been paid for , have the young people return to the Vineyard for July, wear a Community Service vest, and spend 8 hours a day picking up trash on Edgartown main roads.....and by the way, at the end of the work day they don't get stay on Water Street to party some more.! Not so sure how they will present this work experience on their college apps., but I am sure they can buy a College Applicatin Consultant to "wordsmith" for them
They should have stayed to
ET VHThey should have stayed to clean up the mess as part of their punishment, and perhaps even more community service.
There is no doubt that this
Alysa Stafford EdgartownThere is no doubt that this is a tough and unfortunate situation. I believe it was just teen stupidity. The fact that they came in a private plane does not make them bad people. It makes them wealthy. Teens all over the island, state of CT and the world do stupid things. Properties can and will be repaired. Grateful no one was hurt.
Whoever lives there needs to
JS EDGWhoever lives there needs to step up, be accountable, and apologize to the police, the homeowners, and the town. Complete embarrassment to our town. Shameful behavior.
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