Barnstable police are investigating a serious assault that followed a road rage incident in Centerville on the evening of September 9.
According to police, the confrontation began on Fuller Road sometime between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and continued onto Marie-Ann Terrace. The 74-year-old victim was assaulted on Marie-Ann Terrace and later taken to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment of significant injuries.
Investigators are now trying to identify the person they believe was responsible.
Police described the suspect as a White man around 30 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, with a stocky build. He was reportedly driving a newer-model, dark-colored Volkswagen SUV. Investigators said the vehicle had an illuminated Volkswagen emblem on the front grille.
Police also believe another person may have been inside the SUV at the time.
The vehicle was last seen heading back toward Fuller Road after the assault. Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was driving or walking in the Fuller Road and Marie-Ann Terrace area during the time of the incident.
The case has also drawn attention because Barnstable had recently ended its use of Flock automated license plate readers.
The Barnstable Town Council approved a resolution on September 3 to terminate the town’s relationship with Flock Group and discontinue the use of its license plate readers. The decision came less than a week before the assault.
Barnstable police Lt. Kevin Fullam said the incident illustrates how automatic license plate recognition technology can potentially assist detectives in identifying vehicles during an investigation. Police said the technology could have provided another investigative resource in this case.
The timing has become part of the discussion surrounding the investigation, but police have not said that a Flock camera would have definitively identified the suspect or solved the case.
The use of license plate readers has been under increased scrutiny in Massachusetts. A Suffolk Superior Court judge recently ordered Massachusetts State Police to disclose information about the locations of its license-plate-reading cameras and related search activity, amid broader debate over the technology and privacy.
For now, Barnstable detectives are relying on witnesses and other investigative leads as they work to identify the person involved in the Centerville assault.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Eric Rogorzenski at 774-499-3317 or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted to [email protected].
