News Summary
Carmen Polito, a Boston man, is facing numerous charges stemming from a series of car thefts and hit-and-run incidents that shook the community. Beginning on January 20, local police received several 911 calls about an individual attempting to break into vehicles while armed with a knife. The chaotic behavior escalated into multiple hit-and-run accidents involving stolen vehicles, leading to a pursuit and subsequent arrest. Authorities emphasize the importance of public safety amid a record of Polito’s troubling criminal history.
Boston
A Boston man, Carmen Polito, 42, is facing multiple charges following a series of alarming car thefts and hit-and-run incidents across the city in January 2024. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office has announced that Polito is charged with several counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, two counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle, and one count of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
The series of incidents took place on January 20, 2024, beginning shortly after 10:30 p.m. when Boston police received a 911 call about an individual attempting to open car doors on Commonwealth Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing Polito, who was holding a knife, trying to enter a stopped vehicle. This alarming behavior was just the beginning of the events that continued to escalate.
After the initial call, a second 911 dispatch reported a hit-and-run accident occurring at the intersection of Massachusetts and Commonwealth Avenues in the Back Bay neighborhood. The black Mercedes involved in this collision was identified as stolen and in the possession of Polito. Witnesses explained that the Mercedes sideswiped a truck causing minor damage before crashing into a Nissan Rogue, which subsequently collided with an additional vehicle. Observers reported chaotic movements where the Mercedes reversed and drove forward repeatedly while careening into the Nissan.
The chaotic scene escalated further as a third 911 call detailed another hit-and-run involving a Nissan SUV near Belvidere Street and Massachusetts Avenue. A fourth call identified a Nissan SUV driving erratically while colliding with parked vehicles on Westland Avenue. Multiple witnesses reported feeling unsafe as the incidents unfolded throughout the vicinity.
Eventually, a Massachusetts State Police trooper was able to locate the stolen Nissan on Frontage Road and initiated a pursuit that led them into Quincy. The trooper successfully pulled over Polito, formally identifying him as the driver involved in the earlier incidents. After being apprehended, Polito was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation and was subsequently admitted for extended treatment.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney, these incidents instilled fear among drivers, who faced damaged vehicles as well as potential dangers that were posed to both motorists and pedestrians. Authorities managed to note, however, that it was fortunate that no individuals were harmed during these events.
Investigations have revealed that Polito has a lengthy criminal record, extending up to 13 pages, which includes prior assault convictions. In January 2023, he was sentenced to two years in prison for leading police on a foot chase near Northeastern University. Given this history, Polito’s recent actions come as a significant concern for public safety.
At his arraignment in Roxbury District Court, a judge set Polito’s bail at $2,000. He is scheduled to return to court on July 17, 2024 to face the charges related to his recent arrests and the incidents that have raised serious questions regarding public safety in the Boston area.
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Additional Resources
- MassLive
- Wikipedia: Hit-and-run
- Boston Globe
- Google Search: Boston car crashes
- NBC Boston
- Google Scholar: car accidents Boston
- Boston 25 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Car accidents
- WHDH
- Google News: Boston car thefts
