Regional Roundup: Easton Police Make Arrest for Assault and Rape, Stoughton Sees Spike in Heroine Overdoses, and More

Easton Police Makes Arrest for Assault, Rape, Breaking and Entering

On Tuesday morning, Easton Police reported finding a seriously beaten woman lying on Turnpike Street bleeding from head injures.

Easton Police said, Adam Gomm, 27, of 28 School St. in Bridgewater, was seen "covered in blood" running up the street in the area of Doyle's Pub on Washington Street.

Police stated he was also injured and apparently tried to kill himself.Police said they first received the call when a Bristol County Sheriff Deputy saw a partially-clothed a woman lying on the street. She said her ex-boyfriend broke into her home, struck her repeatedly with a hammer and raped her. 

Gomm has been charged with breaking and entering, aggravated rape and assault battery with a dangerous weapon.

Stoughton Sees Spike in Heroin Overdoses

n average Stoughton sees two or three heroin or other opiate-related overdoses per year, Stoughton Deputy Police Chief Robert Devine said. However, there have been three such deaths in town this July alone, and 12 overdoses this month overall.

"We've been hit hard," Devine said. 

Devine wouldn't go so far as to call it an epidemic or outbreak, but the recent overdose activity is cause for concern.

"It's a spike. It's abnormal for us," he said. "For us to sit back and say nothing about it would be irresponsible."

Police Say Stabbing on Washington Street in Norwood 'Not a Random Act'

Norwood Police responded to Washington Street after receiving a phone call from a man who said that he was stabbed several times, according to reports. 

It was later discovered that the victim and the suspects are knew eachother.

"Alvarado and the victim had engaged in a verbal dispute that escalated into the assault and battery," police said. 

The victim was transported to Norwood Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. 

Sharon Selectmen Approve New Fees

The Sharon Board of Selectmen approved by 3-0 for a request to increase certain fees in the town last week.

Presented by department of public works superintendent Eric Hooper, several existing fees were increased and several new fees were introduced.

All fee increases and creations were based on a mean of surrounding towns.

Wrentham Police Swear in New Sergeant

The Wrentham Police Department swore in a new sergeant into its ranks last week.

Police chief James Anderson presented Sgt. Barry McGrath.

“We welcome the chief and sergeant and all the family members to the swearing in,” selectmen chair Joseph Botaish said.  “Congratulations sergeant.”

The meeting room was filled with McGrath’s family and well-wishers.

“I’d like to congratulate Sgt. McGrath for the position tonight,” Anderson said. “He’s a hardworking individual and he’s shown good leadership skills.”

Selectmen Approve New Hires for Fire Department

Erik Bailey and Colin Ryle will join the Walpole Fire Department after the Board of Selectmen interviewed and unanimously approved the hiring of both men. The vote was in line with the recommendation given by Fire Chief Timothy Bailey.

As required by the department, both men are paramedics, a quality that selectwoman Nancy Mackenzie believes strengthens Walpole fire.

“It’s an opportunity to get candidates with stronger medic history and the more the medic experience they can bring to Walpole is really going to make a difference when they are answering the call whatever it is,” Mackenzie said.

Bailey and Ryle were two of three finalist selected for the positions. According to Chief Bailey, there were 28 applicants and nine were chosen for interviews. Eight were interviewed as one did not show up.