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The Salem Police Dive Team works to remove a red Kia Sorento that was partially submerged in the water of Marblehead's Dolliber Cover Wednesday afternoon. (Spenser Hasak) Purchase this photo

DRIVING MARBLEHEAD CRAZY

Car that drove across Piper Field suspected to car that drove into the ocean at Grace Oliver’s Beach

Joey Barrett and Dylan Pichnarcik

by ,

MARBLEHEAD — A Kia Sorento, recovered from Dolliber Cove, is now believed to be one of the vehicles that caused damage to the gate and turf at Marblehead High’s Piper Field on Wednesday morning.

Officers arrived at Piper Field around 5:40 a.m.to investigate.

Then, at approximately 11:10 a.m., Marblehead Police received a call that a vehicle was spotted submerged in Dolliber Cove. Assisted by the town’s harbormaster, the Marblehead Police responded to Grace Oliver’s beach, located on Beacon Street, Police officials said in a statement.

The vehicle, an older-model Kia Sorento, matched the description of one of the vehicles believed to be involved in the Piper Field vandalism, and was pulled from the water at approximately 2:30 p.m. after several hours, Police officials said.

A crowd of residents watched the car be pulled from the water by trucks from Todisco Services Inc. of Salem in collaboration with the Salem Police Dive Team. Chains and ropes were used to attach the vehicle to a hydraulic crane.

Once the vehicle was on dry land, it was lifted over the stone wall that separates Grace Oliver’s beach from the road.

One resident said a friend who lives nearby heard screeching last night.

The vehicle, tagged with license plates from New York, was reported stolen, according to Marblehead Police.

Police officials said a preliminary investigation determined vehicles drove through the access gate and onto Marblehead High’s Piper Football Field. Police are actively investigating the incident.

“I just think it’s unnecessary, egregious vandalism, and we’re going to find out who it was,” Superintendent of Marblehead Public Schools John Robidoux said. “They crashed through the gate, which was ruined, and there are marks on the field.”

When asked about next steps, Robidoux said he will work with the facility’s turf supplier, and police will investigate the incident.
In a statement, Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King said, “Those responsible will face applicable criminal charges.”

He continued, “Marblehead Police is conducting an investigation to determine the operator(s) identity and consider this a criminal matter.”

The department asked that anyone with information regarding this incident contact the Marblehead Police Department at 781-631-1212 and/or Detective Sgt. Sean Brady, [email protected], or SRO Sean Sweeney Jr., [email protected].

  • Joey Barrett is the Daily Item's Sports Editor. He reports on local high schools, colleges, and professional teams. Prior to his current position, he worked for UMass Athletics, the Cape Cod Baseball League, and Gannett Media, among others. Barrett was also Sports Editor at Endicott College and treasurer of Endicott's Society of Professional Journalists branch.

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  • Dylan Pichnarcik
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