Man Arrested For Allegedly Kidnapping, Assaulting Girlfriend

SOUTH CHATHAM – Following a brief but intensive manhunt, a 46-year-old Chatham man was arrested early Tuesday morning and faces numerous charges after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend and holding her against her will.

 At around 7:15 p.m. Monday, a woman arrived at the Harwich fire station seeking medical attention, Chatham Police Chief Michael Anderson said.

 “She was suffering from some stab wounds,” he said, and Harwich rescuers rushed her to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment. “It was determined that she was a victim of a domestic violence incident in Chatham,” Anderson said. Chatham police identified the suspect as Gary Shawn McKenzie, 46, of Chatham, and began searching for him. The woman is said to be recovering at the hospital from wounds that are not life-threatening.

 Anderson said it appears that McKenzie assaulted the woman at another, undisclosed location in Chatham and held her against her will at that location for some time Monday afternoon. It was not immediately clear how she was able to escape captivity.

 The police launched an intensive search for McKenzie, with support from officers of the Harwich Police and the Massachusetts State Police. The Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office provided crime scene experts, tracking dogs and drones, and the Chatham Fire Department also deployed the town’s drone in the search. In all, about 35 or 40 public safety officials took part in the manhunt, and command posts were established at the water treatment plant off Middle Road and at Our Lady of Grace Church on Route 137, Anderson said.

 “Through the use of all that technology, with the inclusion of cell phone technology, we were able to locate him in a neighborhood in South Chatham at 5:25 this morning,” the chief said. McKenzie, who was allegedly hiding outdoors, was taken in custody without incident and without injury. 

 McKenzie was arraigned in Orleans District Court Tuesday morning and pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a large knife, causing serious bodily injury; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon to intimidate; domestic assault and battery; witness intimidation; kidnapping and resisting arrest. Additional charges may be sought, Anderson said.

 The chief stressed that the alleged attack was not random in nature.

 Anderson offered his thanks to the many agencies that contributed to the search, saying he is proud that the search was completed successfully, quickly and without any injuries. 

 “This is an example of why we work so well together,” he said. “It’s a result of the many hours of training that we offer and receive here.”