Fairhaven

*UPDATED* Fairhaven Police Investigating Graffiti Found on Fence of Resident’s Home

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Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Lieutenant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

*UPDATED*

Fairhaven Police Investigating Graffiti Found on Fence of Resident’s Home

Incident No Longer Considered a Hate Crime

FAIRHAVEN — Lt. Kevin Kobza would like to provide an update regarding the Fairhaven Police Department’s investigation into an incident of graffiti containing a racial slur sprayed on a fence outside of a resident’s home over the weekend.

Due to a phrase containing a racial slur being spray painted behind a home on Castle Avenue on Sunday, Fairhaven Police initially investigated the incident as a hate crime.

As the investigation continued today, however, it was determined that the phrase spray painted on the resident’s fence was a lyric to a rap song.

Upon further investigation, officers learned that behind the resident’s fence is a trail that is commonly used as a cut-through for pedestrians that leads to a wooded area.

Due to these circumstances, and in speaking with the resident further, police believe that the act was random and that the graffiti was likely done by someone using the trail behind the victim’s home.

Police are still investigating the incident as an act of vandalism and defacement of personal property and are seeking the public’s help in identifying who is responsible.

If further information is developed that indicates that a hate crime was indeed committed, the Department will pursue the case as such.

In addition, the resident had previously reported that someone threw eggs at her house on New Year’s Day. That incident is also believed to be random and possibly unrelated to the graffiti.

Anyone who has any information about these two incidents or has noticed suspicious activity in the area is urged to call Fairhaven Police at 508-997-7421.

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Fairhaven Police Investigating Racist Graffiti Found on Fence of Resident’s Home

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Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Lieutenant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Fairhaven Police Investigating Racist Graffiti Found on Fence of Resident’s Home

FAIRHAVEN — Lt. Kevin Kobza reports that the Fairhaven Police Department is actively investigating an incident of racist graffiti sprayed on a fence outside of a resident’s home. Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects.

On Sunday, Jan. 13, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Fairhaven Police responded to a home on Castle Avenue for a report of graffiti.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to the homeowner who showed them a racial slur that was sprayed on a fence in her backyard.

Police immediately launched an investigation and have assigned a detective to the case. The case is being investigated as a hate crime and the department is following the proper reporting requirements with the state.

“To have such an abhorrent display of racism rear its ugly head within our community is as infuriating as it is heartbreaking,” Lt. Kobza said. “This absolutely does not define who we are as a town, and it is not reflective of who we are as a community. Whoever is responsible for this hateful act will be held responsible.”

As of Wednesday morning, there are no suspects and police are asking residents if they noticed any suspicious activity in the area over the weekend.

The resident had previously reported to police that her house had had eggs thrown at it on New Year’s Day. Police do not know if the incidents are related and are investigating.

Anyone who has any information about these two incidents or has noticed suspicious activity in the area is urged to call Fairhaven Police at 508-997-7421.

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Man Charged with Nearly Striking Fairhaven Police Officer with Car Prior to Pursuit

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Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Lieutenant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Man Charged with Nearly Striking Fairhaven Police Officer with Car Prior to Pursuit

FAIRHAVEN — Lt. Kevin Kobza reports that a man was arrested after nearly striking a Fairhaven Police officer with his car prior to leading officers on a chase Thursday afternoon.

ISAIAH MATTHEWS, AGE 21, OF FAIRHAVEN was charged with:

  • Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Failure to Stop for Police
  • Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Fairhaven Police responded to a call for a disturbance on Howland Road.

Upon arrival, officers located MATTHEWS sitting in the driver’s seat of a gray 2013 Honda Civic.

As an officer approached the vehicle to speak with MATTHEWS, he allegedly revved the engine of the car and drove toward the officer, nearly striking him, before speeding away.

MATTHEWS drove north into nearby Acushnet, where he led Acushnet Police officers on a brief pursuit. MATTHEWS then stopped the car and fled on foot, running through several neighborhoods. He was eventually caught and placed under arrest in the backyard of a Pleasant Street home.

MATTHEWS was transported back to the Fairhaven Police station to be booked. He is expected to be arraigned in New Bedford District Court on Friday.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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Fairhaven Police Charge Two Men with Breaking Into Gas Station

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Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Lieutenant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 21, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Fairhaven Police Charge Two Men with Breaking Into Gas Station

FAIRHAVEN — Lt. Kevin Kobza reports that the Fairhaven Police Department arrested two men Thursday and charged them with breaking into a gas station earlier this week.

STEVEN MARSHALL, AGE 47, and DERRICK WIGGINS, AGE 46,  BOTH HOMELESS were charged with:

  • Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime to Commit a Felony
  • Larceny from a Building
  • Vandalism
  • Receiving Stolen Property (Motor Vehicle)

At approximately 1 a.m. Wednesday, Fairhaven Police responded to the Valero gas station, 130 Huttleston Ave. for a report of a break in.

During the subsequent investigation, officers reviewed surveillance footage that showed two men arrive at the gas station in a motor vehicle that had recently been reported stolen out of New Bedford.

The men attempted to disguise their appearance by covering their faces as they forced their way into the business. Upon gaining entry, they were seen putting several cartons of cigarettes into a trash barrel and then leaving with the barrel.

Through an extensive investigation with the assistance of the New Bedford Police Department, officers identified MARSHALL and WIGGINS as the suspects.

On Thursday afternoon, MARSHALL and WIGGINS were located in the parking lot of a New Bedford grocery store in a different motor vehicle, which had previously been reported stolen out of Plymouth.

They were placed under arrest without incident and were arraigned in Third District Court Thursday afternoon.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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