A state police spokesman on Wednesday said Christina Colarusso, 35, of Tisbury, was issued a criminal summons on charges of breaking and entering a vessel and trespassing stemming from an incident last week.
A Tisbury select board member is facing potential criminal charges for allegedly breaking into one of the Steamship Authority ferries.
A state police spokesman on Wednesday said Christina Colarusso, 35, of Tisbury, was issued a criminal summons on charges of breaking and entering a vessel and trespassing that stem from an incident last week.
State police said Tisbury police called them to assist with an overnight incident at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority terminal where a suspect allegedly accessed one of the vessels. According to state police, the suspect was identified as Ms. Colarusso, who was elected in 2023 to the select board.
The Steamship Authority confirmed there was an incident on board the M/V Aquinnah shortly after midnight on Nov. 25, and ferry line spokesman Sean Driscoll said the matter was referred to the state police for a review of potential charges.
State police pointed the Gazette to the Cape and Island’s District Attorney’s Office for more details on the case.
A district attorney spokesperson said that because the matter was pending, they could not comment or provide additional information. As of Wednesday, there were no court dates scheduled and no case file in the Edgartown District courthouse, a court clerk said.
Ms. Colarusso did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Tisbury police’s daily log for Nov. 25 shows several calls to the Steamship Authority, including one shortly before 1 a.m. for a property check. Other calls to the terminal were for trespassing, breaking and entering, and assault and battery on a police officer, according to the log.
Calls on the log only provide a brief description of the type of incident, the location and the time of the call.
When contacted by the Gazette last week about the incident, Tisbury police Chief Christopher Habekost only said that police did not arrest Ms. Colarusso for trespassing. He did not respond to two further requests for information on the alleged incident.
The Gazette sent Tisbury police a records request for documents related to the calls to the terminal, which a spokesman said the department is processing.
Ms. Colarusso won the 2023 election by just three votes over incumbent Abbe Burt, but has been absent from board meetings going back to September, including the fall special town meeting.
Ms. Colarusso went to Massachusetts Maritime Academy and moved to the Island after college following more than a decade as a summer resident. She had worked aboard boats and had served as the facilities manager for the Martha’s Vineyard Airport. According to her Linkedin page, she was most recently employed by Avangrid, one of the parent companies of Vineyard Wind.
Tisbury town administrator Joseph LaCivita did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Comments
It’s unfortunate that this
Kathleen Cowley Oak BluffsIt’s unfortunate that this article presents only one aspect of a much more complicated situation. Key context is missing, and I hope readers will refrain from judgment during such a difficult time.
Agreed!
Mary Ellen McElroy Oak Bluffs MAAgreed!
Actually, this article
KGActually, this article presents all the facts that were able to be gathered at this time. It is not written in a tone to imply bias one way or the other. This is called journalism. As the information request and further developments are made, I'm sure there will be updates. Would you have preferred, the author speculate in advance of further information?
The lack of information
The people deserve to knowThe lack of information provided by the police departments etc is shocking. This is one of the highest elected officials on island. We deserve to know more. If we aren’t going to receive clear information then step down from your post.
It’s ironic to claim this
Here We Go Again Vineyard HavenIt’s ironic to claim this article is “one-sided” when it simply reports the documented facts, a state police summons, the Steamship Authority’s confirmation of an incident, the police log entries, and the ongoing review by the DA’s office. That’s not bias! That’s journalism.
Yes, more details will certainly come out, and no one is arguing otherwise. But acknowledging that additional context may eventually surface does not erase the seriousness of what is already confirmed, nor does it justify dismissing the situation as somehow misrepresented.
While I understand that there may be personal or complicated issues involved, the residents of Tisbury should not be left without representation or leadership. Ms. Colarusso has been absent from meetings for months, including the fall special town meeting, and her continued absence, combined with these recent allegations, leaves the town in a completely avoidable leadership vacuum.
For the good of the Tisbury, and for her own wellbeing, she should step aside and seek whatever help she needs. The people of Tisbury deserve better than prolonged uncertainty and an effectively empty seat on the board
Now is the time for Tisbury
VH - resident Vineyard HavenNow is the time for Tisbury to follow Oak bluffs lead and go from a 3-person to a 5-person select board. With a new Town administrator who desparately needs the guidance and support of the Select Board that hired him, it is a disservice to our Town Administrator to put him in a situation without the support he needs to be successful. If it were a 5-person select board, then being without any selectboard official would not be as critical. It would also give our new administrator a fighting chance to make positive changes in VH. It has been two select board members carrying the weight for a very long time. It is not fair to the two selectboard members, the tax paying residents and all town of Tisbury citizens.
what happened to Innocent
MMA Grad Katamawhat happened to Innocent until proven guilty? Give her a chance. I am sure that once the facts are made public she will be exonerated.
For all the commenters
Ed EdgartownFor all the commenters claiming this article is one sided or implies guilt, can you please refer to or quote specific passages? This is simple journalism and stating of facts.
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