Crime & Safety
Hyannis Man Arrested for Attempting to Ignite Restaurant with Molotov Cocktail
Police believe Lucas Penna threw a brick and Molotov cocktail through a window at Prova Brazil on Main St. early Friday morning.
Fabio De Oliviera, the owner of Prova Brazil, contacted police at about 7:30 a.m. Friday to report a broken window. While responding to the call police found evidence that the suspect may have tried to burn down the restaurant with a Molotov cocktail type device.
Detective Kevin Connolly reviewed surveillance video and found that at 1:24 a.m. Friday an individual on a moped stopped at the side of the restaurant, according to a press release. The suspect then retrieved a bottle from his backpack and attempted to light it and throw it towards the restaurant. The bottle broke but did not ignite. The suspect then threw a brick through a window of the restaurant.
The Molotov cocktail device contained some type of liquid; according to police that evidence will be thoroughly examined.
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All Barnstable police officers on duty Friday were given a description of the suspect. Patrolman Matthew Bulman while off-duty and working paid detail on Main St. saw Lucas B. Penna, 43, of Hyannis driving his moped. Bulman stopped Penna and arrested him without incident.
Penna was charged with willful injury to a building, possession of an infernal machine/Molotov cocktail, and attempt to burn.
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Police have not determined any motive for the crime, despite interviewing Penna. Penna is in the United States on a visa and is a citizen of Brazil. The Department of Homeland Security ICE placed a detainer on Penna who will be held without bail at the Barnstable Police Department until his arraignment in Barnstable District Court Monday.
