SWAT Raid in Grafton Yields Assault Rifle, Weapons

A hammer assault that left a man with serious injuries Saturday night led to police enlisting the help of a SWAT team to take a 52-year-old resident into custody on a litany of charges, including illegal weapons offenses.

Police confiscated ten rifles and shotguns along with a large amount of ammunition, in an early morning raid at the home of Steven Woskie of 77 Follette St.

Police Chief Normand A. Crepeau Jr. provided the following account of the events leading to the raid and arrest:

On Saturday, Jan. 26, at about 10:20 pm, Grafton Police Officers Liam O’Rourke and Robert Collette responded to 53 Upton St. regarding a 911 report of an assault with serious injuries. Alert Ambulance was also dispatched.

On their arrival, the officers spoke with a man who was bleeding profusely from a head injury. The man stated that at about 9:30 pm, he and his girlfriend went to his home located at 77 Follette St. When they arrived at the house, his father, Steven Woskie, came out wielding a bat and began yelling at them for no apparent reason. An altercation ensued and during the struggle, his father dropped the bat but grabbed a claw hammer and struck the man in the head several times. The son was able to get away and his girlfriend drove them to Upton Street. He was examined at the scene by ambulance personnel and was later transported to UMass Hospital for treatment.

During the investigation, the officers also received information that there were several loaded, unsecured and possibly stolen, weapons at the Follette Street address. A records check indicated that Steven Woskie did not have a license to possess weapons or ammunition.

Based on the information received, it was determined that officers would apply for a search warrant for 77 Follette St. Because it was reported that there were several loaded weapons in the house, the Central MA Law Enforcement Council (CEMLEC) SWAT unit was requested to assist.

At approximately 2:22 a.m., Grafton officers along with the CEMLEC SWAT unit responded to 77 Follette St. to execute the warrant. SWAT members entered the house and took Woskie into custody without incident. A loaded shotgun was found near Woskie’s bed within arm’s reach.

Once the house was secure, Grafton Officers O’Rourke, Collette, Mark Benoit, Sgt. Michael Swift and Lt. Wayne Tripp conducted a search for other weapons. Police seized a total of 10 rifles and shotguns along with a large amount of ammunition. Included with the weapons was an AK-47 assault style rifle with three 30 round magazines. Officers also seized evidence relating to the assault.

Woskie, 52, was subsequently transported to the Grafton Police station where he was processed and charged with the following offenses: assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, domestic aggravated assault and battery, possession of an assault weapon, possession of large capacity feeding devices (three counts), possession of firearms/rifle/shotgun without a license (seven counts), improper storage of firearms/rifle/shotgun (7 counts), improper storage of a large capacity firearm/rifle, and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

Woskie was ordered held by a bail clerk pending his appearance in Westborough District Court. Information about the court arraignment was not immediately available.

The investigation is continuing to determine ownership of the weapons. Additional charges will be brought forth if any of the weapons are determined to be stolen. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) will be contacted to assist.