News Summary
Two Rhode Island men were arrested following a large-scale vehicle takeover in Boston that led to a police cruiser being set on fire. The incident involved over 100 individuals engaging in chaotic behavior, including attacking police cars with fireworks and other objects. One man was charged with multiple offenses, including assaulting an officer, while the other faced similar charges along with possession of marijuana. Boston officials condemned the actions and urged community help in investigations of the incident and others across the city.
Boston – Two Rhode Island men were arrested early Sunday morning after participating in a large-scale vehicle takeover that resulted in a police cruiser being set ablaze. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street, where over 100 individuals were reported to be engaging in chaotic behavior that included attacking police vehicles with fireworks, cones, and poles.
Boston Police responded to reports of the takeover and found a situation that escalated quickly. One police cruiser sustained extensive damage and was eventually engulfed in flames due to the fireworks. The Boston Fire Department was called to the scene to extinguish the fire, and the damaged cruiser has since been rendered inoperable.
The arrested individuals, Julian Bowers, 18, from Cumberland, and William Cantwell, 19, from Warwick, both face multiple serious charges. Bowers was allegedly seen throwing objects at officers and a police cruiser before fleeing the scene. He faces charges of malicious destruction of property over $1,200, disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
Cantwell was observed striking a police cruiser with an orange pole and was subsequently charged with the same offenses as Bowers, along with possession of marijuana. During his arrest, Cantwell was found carrying two packages of marijuana edibles.
Both men are expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court, with their next court appearance scheduled for November 5. The swift actions of the Boston Police Department and the fire department helped prevent further incident, and fortunately, no officers were injured during the takeover.
In response to the incident, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu condemned the actions of those involved, stating that such behavior would not be tolerated in the city, and that individuals like them would face severe consequences. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox reinforced that illegal street racing and similar disruptive activities would not be accepted in Boston.
The disturbance reported in Boston was not an isolated event; a similar incident took place in Randolph around the same time, where individuals also attacked police cruisers and set off fireworks. The Boston Police Department is investigating the possibility of a connection between the two events.
Authorities are requesting that the public come forward with any information or video footage related to the incidents. The Boston Police Department encourages community members to assist with their ongoing investigation.
This incident highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding large gatherings and disturbances that escalate into violence and damage to property, prompting a more significant focus on public safety measures in the city. As cities like Boston grapple with the challenges posed by illegal activities, law enforcement remains vigilant against such incidents in hopes of ensuring the safety of both residents and police officers.
Overall, the rapid response from law enforcement and fire services helped to subdue the chaotic situation, averting potential injuries and further damage. However, the actions of individuals participating in this takeover may lead to more stringent measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe
- WCVB
- NBC Boston
- Google Search: boston police cruiser fire
- Wikipedia: Police brutality in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
