Police may have put a dent into latest crime spree; 8 face charges in 2 separate incidents near each other.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Craig S. Semon

WEBSTER - Eight suspects in two separate incidents, including a man allegedly pointing a loaded handgun at a 14-year-old in front of his father, were arrested minutes apart and a stone's throw away from each other last weekend on East Main Street.

And not only did the suspects (ranging from ages 13 to 23) keep the police busy, the simultaneous crimes helped to spark a crusade by one selectman to get three additional officers on the police force in an effort to clean up the town once and for all.

Ryan A. Tracanna, 21, of 8 Vecchia St., Apt. 1L, Webster; Krystal A. Brodeur, 21, of 11 Joyce St., Webster; Wilbert Rivera, 20, of 1550 Main St., Worcester, and a 13-year-old male from Northbridge (whose name is withheld because he is a juvenile), are all charged with breaking-and-entering in a building in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, conspiracy, larceny over $250 and vandalizing property.

Shayne M. Simpson, 23, of 68 Airport Road, Dudley; and Ryan J. Gardner, 22, of 12 Laurelwood Drive, Thompson, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, witness intimidation and carrying a firearm without a license.

In addition, Mr. Simpson is charged with carrying a firearm without a Firearm ID Card in possession.

Stephanie G. Myers, 22, of 172 Porter Plain Road, Thompson, is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and witness intimidation, while Krista L. Larsson, 23, of 7 George St., Dudley, is charged with witness intimidation.

According to Officer Joseph Reed's report, all units were dispatched at 4:16 p.m. Sunday to the area of 20 DiDonato Ave. for a reported breaking-and-entering in progress.

While en route, a dispatcher advised police that a male wearing a black hoodie had exited the residence and was running down the alley toward East Main Street, the police report states.

Officer Reed arrived and drove down the alley and into the rear parking lot of the First Niagara Bank, 115 East Main St. A green Chevrolet SUV was turning from a north-facing direction and proceeded toward the one-way parking lot exit on the southwest side of the lot. Officer Reed activated his cruiser's siren and air horn but the Chevrolet continued toward the exit without stopping until another cruiser blocked the vehicle's passage, according to the police report.

The Chevrolet's four occupants - Mr. Tracanna, Ms. Brodeur, Mr. Rivera, and the 13-year-old...