I ON THE COURT
Nantucket Court Report

Christopher Metcalfe, 53, the island resident recently charged with setting fire to Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto's truck on Oct. 4, was charged Monday with three other vehicle arsons that occurred on Nov. 15, 2004.

Metcalfe, who gives an address of 2 Morgan Square, is also suspected of being responsible for numerous car fires that have been reported in the last five years, in some instances involving multiple fires on the same date. He was released on personal recognizance until his pre-trial hearing on Nov. 27.

According to a lengthy police report written by detective Steve Tornovish, he and other Nantucket detectives began reviewing some of the previous vehicle arsons after Metcalfe was arrested for the Fronzuto incident, much of which was captured on a security camera at the harbormaster's office. Trooper Michael Peters, who has extensive knowledge about behaviors and patterns of serial arsonists, assisted with the investigations of many of the past fires, the Fronzuto case and the review that led to Metcalfe's new charges.

Of the minimum of 14 suspicious car fires logged by police since June 2004, it is alleged that Metcalfe had some connection with the two vehicles burned on Nov. 7, 2004; three that burned on Nov. 15, 2004; three that burned on Feb. 1, 2005; and two that burned on March 15, 2005. The most compelling evidence, according to the report, stems from the Nov. 15, 2004 events when a vehicle burned at the Muse, another shortly after on Boynton Lane and a third just more than an hour later on Field Avenue.

Metcalfe and his hatchback car were visible on a Muse security camera videotape the night of the fire in the bar's parking lot. He was also seen on that camera driving from the Muse lot about a minute before flames were visible in the first vehicle and turning onto Boynton Lane. Shortly after that, two unknown vehicles were viewed leaving Boynton Lane, each turning in opposite directions.

The first vehicle that burned belonged to Kenneth Weaver, a bartender working at the Muse the night Metcalfe went there. George Manchester reported the second vehicle fire in his pick-up truck on Boynton Lane. The third vehicle that burned on Field Avenue belonged to Peter and Jean Shaw. The third fire was reported by Daniel Sullivan who was at 3 Morgan Square and said he saw a man watching the blaze for several minutes before getting into a hatchback car and pulling into the nearby driveway at 2 Morgan Square.

Manchester later told police that a few weeks after his truck fire Metcalfe asked him about it and when he responded "What truck fire?" Metcalfe answered "You know - the one that I ... the one where your truck was set on fire a few weeks ago."

It was also discovered that Metcalfe had been asked to repair the Shaw's car while they were away but did not and was angered when they demanded the car be returned. Subsequent to Metcalfe's arrest in the Fronzuto case, a Muse employee told police that week after the Muse vehicle fire Metcalfe told him "how he lived to set cars on fire and how he has been doing it for a while."

The report goes on to state that Metcalfe's acts "clearly demonstrate an ongoing pattern of criminal behavior." The new charges include three counts of burning of a motor vehicle, and three counts of breaking and entering in the night with intent to commit arson.

Shukhrat Aziev, 28, of 44 Somerset Lane, will have his case dismissed with $100 court costs. He was charged with driving with a suspended license.

Ronald F. Beal, 37, of 17B Essex Road, was given three months to pay $970 in probation fees he owes from a previous drug possession charge that was continued without a finding.

Andre Bovan, 20, of Barnstable, Mass., had his probation extended for a year after being charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle on Sept. 24. His case was continued to Dec. 18.

Linda Cahoon, 54, of Nantucket, had her case continued for six months under pre-trial probation. She was charged with assault and battery with a squirt gun on Sept. 9.

Mark Clinton, 39, of Wareham, had his cases continued to Dec. 18. He was charged March 21 with drug possession with intent to distribute and on Aug. 13 with intimidating a witness and violation of a restraining order.

Philip Corby, 35, of 2 Kendrick St., had his case continued to Dec. 11. He was charged Nov. 6 with assault and battery.

A warrant was to issue for Andrew J. Dott, 36, of 25 Woodbine Drive, who did not appear in court. He was charged Aug. 3, 2005 with negligent driving. That case, as well as 2004 charges of destruction of property and resisting arrest, was continued without a finding.

Mariana Faria, 26, of Nantucket, had her case continued to Dec. 4. She was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and not having an inspection sticker.

A warrant was to issue for Stephen W. Ford, 24, of Vermont, who did not appear for arraignment on charges of driving an uninsured, unregistered vehicle without an inspection sticker.

Elizabeth Gallipoli, 48, of 12 Longwood Drive, had her case continued to Dec. 18. She was charged Nov. 10 with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving outside marked lanes.

Daniel C. Gonyea, 43, of Nantucket, had his case continued to Jan. 22. He was charged Aug. 29 with aggravated assault and battery and assault and battery.

Hubert D. Hanniford, 41, of Nantucket, had his case continued to Nov. 20. He was charged Oct. 5 with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving outside marked lanes.

Pablo E. Hernandez, 45, of Nantucket, had his Sept. 17 charge of driving under the influence of alcohol continued one year without a finding. He must attend the driver alcohol program and had his license suspended for 45 days. He was found not responsible for driving outside the right lane and responsible for failing to stop.

Gilbert J. Holdgate, 45, of Nantucket, had his case continued to Dec. 11. He was charged with two counts of assault and battery.

The probation for Derek Johnson, charged in 2004 with drug distribution, was terminated.

Christopher M. Kelley, formerly of Nantucket, paid all due costs and restitution and had his probation on several old cases terminated and a probation violation withdrawn.

Edward W. Kidon, 40, of 8 Daffodil Lane, paid due costs from his Oct. 20, 2005 charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license, but had his probation extended until March 2007 while he completes a treatment program.

Karen Kozlowski, 43, of 8 Kelley Road, had her case continued to Dec. 18. She was charged Oct. 16 with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Derond S. Lewis, 33, of Memphis, Tenn., paid due costs and had his case dismissed. He was charged Sept. 25 with assault and battery.

Melvin A. Mata-Portillo, 30, of 26 Essex Road. admitted to an Oct. 7 charge of assault and battery and had his case continued one year without a finding. He must stay drug and alcohol free and have random testing. A charge of breaking and entering was dismissed.

Tyrone G. McLaughlin, 31, of 5A Cow Pond Lane, had his case continued to Nov. 27. He was charged Nov. 11 with assault and battery.

Pedro Miguel, 42, of Lynn, Mass., paid due costs from a Sept. 29 charge of driving with a suspended license and had his case dismissed.

Michael T. Miller, 49, of 8 Meeting House Lane, had his case continued to Dec. 18. He was charged Sept. 4 with driving an uninsured, unregistered vehicle and abandoning a vehicle.

Amanda P. Olin, 38, of 5 Hiller's Lane, had her case continued to Nov. 27. She was charged Nov. 9 with driving under the influence of alcohol.

Jared W. Parsons, 32, of 3 Swayze Drive, had his case continued to Dec. 18. He was charged Sept. 2 with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with an open container of alcohol.

Mauricio A. Pleites, 28, of 14 Bailey Road, paid due costs and had his probation terminated. He was charged Oct. 17, 2004 with driving under the influence of alcohol, second offense.

Sara J. Preston, 43, of Westchester, N.Y., had her Aug. 28 charge of driving under the influence of alcohol dismissed. Charges of leaving the scene after property damage and negligent driving were continued one year without a finding and she was fined $500.

Fabian N. Ricketts, 56, of 5 Woodhollow Road, will have Nov. 8 charges of driving with a suspended license and with an open container of alcohol dismissed with $200 court costs.

Isai M. Rodriguez, of 18B Bailey Road, had his Oct. 21, 2005 charge of driving under the influence of alcohol dismissed.

Anthony Seward, 20, of 9 Berkley St., had his case continued to Dec. 4 for jury trial. He faces several probation violations on old charges stemming from a charge this year of larceny from a person.

David I. Smith, 28, of 17 Correia Lane, admitted to disorderly conduct on Oct. 13 and had the charge continued six months without a finding. Charges of trespassing, assault and resisting arrest were dismissed.

Michael F. Walsh, 41, of 22 Massasoit Bridge Road, had his case continued to Jan. 8. He was charged July 25 with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property and negligent driving.

Cedric L. Washington, 22, of 39B Essex Road, had a July 29 charge of cocaine possession continued one year without a finding. Acharge of marijuana possession was dismissed.

Angela M. Zentmyer, 48, of 4B Cedar Circle, will have a June 27 charge of driving without a license dismissed

with $100 court costs.

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- Compiled by Mary Lancaster