Suspect in Winchendon attack returns after year on the run

Bresnahan's shackles could be heard jingling as he was escorted by officers through the airport.

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

The man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 61-year-old Winchendon woman in her home last year was escorted through Boston's Logan Airport today by Massachusetts State police investigators who spent months tracking him down.

Michael Bresnahan was arrested at gunpoint in Cottage Grove, Ore. Aug. 18 after a year long search led by State police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section steered the US Marshalls and local police to the 36-year-old suspect.

Bresnahan has been in custody in Oregon while the courts in both states cleared the way for his return.

The son of the woman, a retired school teacher, said in a telephone interview that the family welcomed his return to Massachusetts and his impending prosecution.

"It was frustrating for him to be on the run,'' he said. "We are absolutely thrilled he is behind bars.''

After fleeing Winchenden, Bresnahan worked his way across country, backpacking and hitchhiking and working odd jobs, police said today. He was tracked down to Oregon after a woman he was living with discovered his true name and that authorities were looking for him, police said.

The victim's son publicly expressed his gratitude to Early and the law enforcement agencies who pursued Bresnahan. "Our family is very thankful for the dedication of all of the professionals in law enforcement who brought him to justice,'' he said.

Bresnahan is scheduled to be arraigned today in Winchendon District Court on one count of burglary, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early 2d's office. He is likely to face additional charges for assaulting the woman at knifepoint during an attack that lasted two hours, prosecutors said.

"We brought him back to answer for the suffering he inflicted on his victim,'' Early said in a statement.

• Comment
• Permalink
• Email