The Wellesley Police Department has announced that the suspect in Saturday night’s incident, in which a Wellesley police officer was dragged about 15 feet by a car, has been arrested. He faces 9 charges, ranging from assault and battery on a police officer to receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
The suspect allegedly dragged the cop as he pulled away in his vehicle from the officer, who was attempting to take the man into custody just after 7pm.
Wellesley Police Department investigative work found that the suspect might be in Boston and was a passenger a 2019 Kia Optima stopped by Boston police earlier in the evening. Just before 1am on Sunday, a state trooper pulled over a Kia Optima on Rte. 84 in Sturbridge and found that the passenger in the back seat matched the description of the suspect in the Wellesley case. The suspect’s neck tattoo helped to identify him.
The suspect is being held without bail in Wellesley, and will be transported to Dedham District Court on Monday, Feb. 25. He is being charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest, failure to stop for a police officer while operating a motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury, malicious destruction of property over $250, receiving a stolen motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
The Wellesley police officer has been released from the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is home recovering.
MORE: Wellesley police logs
I’m willing to bet there is more to this suspect’s story than what we currently know. He clearly has something to hide if he was willing to kill a police officer to escape. Stolen car ring? Drugs? Who knows, but I hope they delve deeply into his history and phone, if they have it. I’m very glad the officer is going to be okay. Great teamwork, local and state police!