Marshfield man allegedly dragged police officer

January 2, 2008 01:10 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

A 23-year-old Marshfield man failed to appear in court today to face charges that he dragged an MBTA Transit Police officer 30 feet with his car earlier this week.

Pat Tauro, 23, is facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and operating under the influence after the incident Monday. He failed to appear in Boston Municipal Court, said Transit Police Lieutenant Sal Venturelli.

Police said that officers were called to the Boston Bruins Pro Shop at North Station at about 10:20 a.m. for a report of a man causing a commotion. When police responded, employees told them the man had left the shop and gotten into a car outside the building.

Police approached the car to ask about the incident in the store, but Tauro allegedly put the car in reverse and began driving away. Officers ordered Tauro to stop and exit the car, which he did.

But after a moment, Tauro allegedly ran back to his car. Officers Derek LoPilato and Ida Candreva tried to grab him, but Tauro managed to get into the driver's seat, put the car in reverse, and sped away with the driver's door open and LoPilato still holding on.

The car was on the ramp to the parking lot atop the North Station garage, where MBTA employees and others park.

Tauro allegedly found the way down the ramp blocked by a delivery van. After LoPilato freed himself, Tauro sped forward into the lot, where the officers were able to arrest him. LoPilato was treated for minor injuries at Massachusetts General Hospital.