By: Laura Soukkavong
Boston – Police arrested a 19-year-old man Monday morning after he allegedly took a department-issued bicycle and attempted to flee from officers in the Allston-Brighton area.
Around 10:15 a.m., officers assigned to the Boston Police Department’s citywide bicycle unit were assisting with crowd control on Foster Street. The operation involved clearing a large gathering that had formed behind several residential properties, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, Somerville Police, and Boston Housing Police.
During the dispersal, officers had temporarily staged their bicycles in front of a residence on Foster Street. At that time, a male individual reportedly mounted one of the police bicycles and rode away toward the area of Foster Street and Radnor Road.
The individual abandoned the bicycle in a nearby driveway and attempted to escape by climbing over a fence. Officers quickly responded and located the suspect, taking him into custody without further incident.
The individual was identified as Augustus Peterson, 19, of Evanston, Illinois. He is facing a charge of larceny over $1,200 and is expected to be arraigned in Brighton District Court.
As with all criminal cases, the suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.