A Cape Cod man experienced a harrowing ordeal when he was assaulted and held captive in a Hyannis home, as reported by NBC Boston. The victim, who was later able to escape and seek help, endured choking, stab wounds, and life-threatening threats during the encounter.
According to the victim's account, he was forcibly detained by two men he recognized: Eric Randall, 23, of Hyannis, and Richard Villa, 34, of Cotuit. Randall and Villa reportedly trapped the man inside the home, restrained him at gunpoint, asphyxiated him with a belt, and eventually stabbed him with a knife. During the incident, they also threatened to kill him, which the man conveyed to the police after his escape to a neighbor's residence, where a 911 call was promptly made around 7 a.m. on Thursday morning.
Villa was apprehended shortly after in the area without resistance, while Randall initially eluded police. However, a later attempt to detain Randall led to a brief chase on foot before he was taken into custody. The partnership between Barnstable Patrol Officers, Detectives, and members of the DEA Cape Cod Resident Office proved instrumental during the arrest.
Searches related to the case uncovered a knife, and a 9mm "ghost" gun—untraceable firearms that are known to be assembled from parts and lack serial numbers. Randall also faced charges related to a separate incident that occurred a day prior on West Barnstable, where he allegedly assaulted an individual while wielding a firearm. This information comes as part of extensive coverage provided by CapeCod.com.
In detailed charges against the two men, Randall is accused of multiple offenses, including kidnapping while armed with a firearm, possession of a firearm without FID, and assault with a dangerous weapon, among others. Villa faces accusations including kidnapping while armed with a firearm, strangulation, and assault with intent to murder—notably armed. Villa's arraignment took place on July 25, 2024, and he was held pending a dangerousness hearing slated for July 29, 2024, while Randall was held without bail, awaiting his arraignment set for the following day.
