TISBURY — A man was arrested Wednesday night after threatening to “vaporize” people and claiming he had explosives in his car at the Steamship Authority ferry terminal, police said.
David Anthony Capato, 54, of Edgartown, was taken into custody following a standoff that lasted several hours and led to the evacuation of the terminal area.
The incident began around 9 p.m. when Capato reported finding a revolver, which he then threw into a mailbox near the terminal, according to Tisbury police.
When officers attempted to question him, Capato became uncooperative and claimed he had multiple guns and an explosive device in his vehicle.
Police evacuated the terminal, parking lot, and an incoming ferry.
A tactical response team and negotiator were called to the scene.
After about two hours of negotiations, Capato peacefully exited his vehicle and was arrested.
He was wearing a body camera at the time, police said.
The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad found no explosives in Capato’s vehicle, the terminal, or a nearby freight boat.
An M4 assault rifle was recovered from Capato’s car, and the revolver was retrieved from the mailbox.
Capato faces charges including disorderly conduct, threats to commit a crime, improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, witness intimidation, and terroristic threats.
The investigation is ongoing in cooperation with federal authorities, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
