A West Roxbury man got out of a parking ticket. Then he led police on a chase, authorities say.
Officers found a loaded gun in the passenger seat.
A bizarre police chase Tuesday started with an officer sparing a man from a parking ticket outside a West Roxbury supermarket and ended with a crash, and the discovery of a loaded gun, in Roslindale.
Around 1:30 p.m., a police officer on patrol found a car parked illegally outside the Roche Bros. supermarket, blocking the store’s entrance, on Centre Street in West Roxbury, Boston police said in a statement.
“In a show of good will, instead of issuing a written citation and towing the vehicle, the officer entered the store and asked store employees to use the in-store public address system to ask the owner of the car to move the vehicle,” officials said. “In short time, the owner exited the store and returned to his vehicle.”
The officer walked up to the driver, 57-year-old Michael Robicheau, of West Roxbury, to explain that he could have received a ticket, but instead Robucheau ignored the officer, police said.
He allegedly jumped in the car and sped off, almost hitting the officer as he drove away.
After a description of the car was broadcast over police radio, other officers learned the vehicle was last seen traveling on South Street toward Washington Street, according to police. Officers, while en route, also found out Robicheau had struck several cars, officials said.
The pursuit came to an end when Robicheau struck a vehicle and a light pole near Bexley Road in Roslindale, police said.
A police pursuit ends in Roslindale after the driver crashes into several cars. He’s under arrest & a weapon was seized. At 10 on @boston25 – how a dog walker helped end the pursuit. Video: Nathan Wright pic.twitter.com/fhjen6pZaF
— Elysia Rodriguez (@elysia_rod) November 21, 2018
“After a brief struggle, officers were able to take the suspect into custody,” police said in the statement. “A search of the suspect’s vehicle enabled officers to locate and confiscate a loaded Browning 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun which was found lying on the front passenger seat of the vehicle.”
Robicheau faces several charges, including refusing to stop for a police officer, operating on a revoked/suspended license, driving to endanger, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (car), leaving the scene after causing property damage, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, police said.
He was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in West Roxbury District Court.
