A tour bus driver in Boston helped police apprehend a suspect who stole an MBTA transport vehicle. The driver noticed the man crawling out of the damaged vehicle and chased him, capturing a photo to share with authorities. The suspect was later found hiding in a hotel. The stolen vehicle had passengers inside and was involved in a crash before being abandoned. The driver shut off the vehicle due to engine leaks and stayed with one passenger until help arrived. The suspect has been taken into custody. Drew Karedes reported
BOSTON — A remarkable incident unfolded in Boston when a vigilant tour bus driver helped the police apprehend a suspect linked to a stolen MBTA transport vehicle. Clinton Crocker, a driver for Bloom Bus, was waiting for a group of cruise ship visitors near Faneuil Hall when he noticed a man crawling out of a badly damaged MBTA vehicle.
Reacting swiftly, Crocker chased the suspect and managed to take a photograph of his face, which he later shared with the authorities. The police used the photo to broadcast a description, leading to the suspect’s arrest just minutes later in a function room at the Bostonian Hotel. Crocker expressed his relief that his instincts kicked in during the incident, describing it as “craziness.”
Unknown to Crocker at the time, the stolen MBTA transport vehicle, which belonged to the RIDE program, had been taken more than 11 miles away in Woburn. The vehicle had passengers inside when it was stolen and subsequently crashed into several cars in the O’Neill Tunnel during the police pursuit.
Crocker recalled encountering a distraught woman inside the vehicle and attempted to calm her down. However, he was unable to free her as the doors were jammed. Demonstrating his quick thinking, Crocker shut off the stolen vehicle after noticing fluids leaking from the engine and stayed with the woman until first responders arrived and freed her.
The incident caught the attention of guests at the Bostonian Hotel, who observed the suspect being taken away in handcuffs. One guest, Tiffany Goscenski, initially thought that someone important had arrived but realized the situation when she saw the suspect in custody.
While one passenger in the stolen vehicle sustained minor injuries, it remains unclear if others had managed to escape before the vehicle was abandoned near Faneuil Hall. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Thomas Baldwin, has been taken into police custody.
As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as further information becomes available.
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