Island Resident Has Bail Revoked Following Alleged Assault
David Creed •
An island resident was jailed and had his bail revoked on an old case following an alleged assault over the weekend that prompted a significant law enforcement response to a Surfside Drive residence.
At least eight police cruisers, including State Police Troopers, converged Saturday afternoon at the mid-island residence where officers arrested Christopher Brownell, 38, of Nantucket after he allegedly attacked an individual following a verbal argument. Police allege that Brownell kneeled on the victim's ribs to prevent them from calling the police, left lacerations on the victim's body and face, and destroyed their cell phone and prescription glasses before barricading himself in the basement following the police department's arrival on the scene.
Brownell was arraigned on Monday on November 7th charges of assault and battery on a family/household member, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, malicious destruction of property under $1,200, resisting arrest, and threatening to commit a crime.
He had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf, but had his bail revoked on an existing case in Barnstable District Court, where he faces a charge of threatening to commit a crime. The bail revocation was requested by the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office and granted by Judge James Sullivan.
Brownell had $5,000 cash bail placed on the new case by Sullivan and was ordered to return to court on December 8th for a pretrial hearing.
According to the police report, the incident began at approximately 7:57 p.m. on Friday, November 7th, when police were dispatched to a Surfside Drive property for the report of a physical dispute in progress. The alleged victim told police that Brownell had just attacked them. The alleged assault left the victim with bloody lacerations and a destroyed cell phone.
When police arrived on the scene, Brownell allegedly refused officers' commands to come out of the basement and proceeded to yell profanities directed at them. Brownell then barricaded himself in the basement by using wood and power tools to block off the entryways, according to the report. Police remained on scene but did not enter the residence. They obtained a warrant the following day, and Brownell was taken into custody on Saturday, Nov. 8th, without incident.