OAK BLUFFS, MA — The Oak Bluffs police are investigating a report of a sexual assault committed at the local Massachusetts State Police barracks, the police chief said.
"In late August, the Oak Bluffs Police Department responded to a report involving a woman in distress and immediately initiated an investigation," Police Chief Jonathan Searle said in an emailed statement.
"Through the course of the investigation, officers determined that the matter involved an alleged sexual assault and developed information indicating that the alleged assault occurred at the Massachusetts State Police barracks in Oak Bluffs," Searle said, noting his department is an "independent law enforcement agency" from the state police and the ensuing investigation was conducted independently and with the involvement of the state police.
"As part of its investigation, Oak Bluffs Police developed probable cause and applied for and received court-authorized search warrants related to the investigation, including warrants executed at the State Police barracks," Searle said.
"The Massachusetts State Police General Headquarters has cooperated with matters related to the investigation," the chief said. "The Department also has been in communication with the Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office regarding the investigation and findings."
The investigation is ongoing, Searle said.
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