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Quincy man accused of evading T fare, assaulting officer

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 18, 2009 07:21 PM

By Stewart Bishop, Globe Correspondent

A Quincy man was arrested for fare evasion and assault and battery on transit-police officers during a struggle at the Quincy Center station this morning.

MBTA Transit Police said an anti-fare-evasion team spotted Robert C. Fitzgerald, 54, about 11:15 a.m. as he "piggybacked" behind a paying customer, going through the fare gate without paying.

He was confronted by two plainclothes officers, who started asking him questions.

Transit Police Sergeant Michael Flanagan said Fitzgerald first apologized for not paying and then gave the officers a false name.

"He took off running and ran through the fare gates, smashing them up," Flanagan said. "There was a short foot chase, and officers arrested him on stairs leading out of the station after a struggle."

After a check, the officers found out there were several warrants for Fitzgerald's arrest, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a class B substance (cocaine), possession of a class E substance (illegal prescription drugs), unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon and receiving stolen property.

Deputy Chief Joseph O'Connor said that so far in 2009, police have issued 1,274 citations for fare evasion, compared with 1,376 for all of 2008. He said the department is on track to double the number of citations this year.

"We've gotten a lot of feedback from riders who observe fare evasion," O'Connor said. "These riders, who pay their fare every day, are outraged to see this behavior."

O'Connor said that strict fare enforcement is something the public expects and will continue to be an important part of our overall mission. "It's become part of our DNA," he said.

Fitzgerald is to be arraigned in Quincy District Court Friday on charges of fare evasion, wanton destruction of property, assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.