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Barnstable officer punctured by hypodermic needle during arrest

HYANNIS (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – A member of the Barnstable Street Crime Unit was punctured by a hypodermic needle during an arrest of three suspects Friday night.

According to police, around 8:12 p.m., officers observed a pickup truck operating erratically on Barnstable Road.

Officers stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by 38-year-old Sean Sprague, of Yarmouth, on Winter Street. The vehicle contained two passengers, 51-year-old Gregory Hines and 29-year-old Tara Rapacki.

Both Sprague and Hines are known to police and have lengthy criminal records, including narcotics violation convictions in Barnstable District Court.

The officers observed an open beer can inside the vehicle and suspected Sprague was under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both.

Hines was found in possession of a hypodermic needle hidden in his waist area, and during a pat-down of Sprague, an officer suffered a puncture wound to his hand from the hypodermic needle. Rapacki was also in possession of a hypodermic needle and other drug paraphernalia.

The vehicle contained additional hypodermic needles.

Sprague was placed under arrest for operating under influence of drugs, operating with open container of alcohol, conspiracy to violate the narcotics laws, operating without a license, throwing lighted cigarette out of vehicle, marked lanes, and seatbelt violation.

Hines and Rapacki were placed under arrest for conspiracy to violate the narcotics laws, open container of alcohol in public, and a seatbelt violation.

Hines was additionally charged with possession of a class B substance/cocaine with intent to distribute after officers found three grams of cocaine on him during booking.

Sprague is being held on $1,000 cash bail, and Hines is being held on $2,500 cash bail. All three suspects are scheduled to appear in Barnstable District Court on Monday.

The injured officer was transported to Cape Cod Hospital where he was treated and released.