Crime & Safety

Needham Man Arrested in Ted Williams Tunnel Foot Chase After Alleged Altercation With State Trooper at Logan Airport

By Andrew Sylvia

On Saturday afternoon, Massachusetts State Police arrested 56-year-old Needham resident Robert Rizzo at Logan Airport after a foot chase that led into the Ted Williams Tunnel.

According to a press release from the state police, Rizzo was waiting in the passenger pick-up area of Terminal C and was asked to move by a state trooper, a request he casually dismissed.

On a second request to move, Rizzo began to utter a stream of obscenities at the state trooper, continuing until a woman described as Rizzo’s wife walked toward his vehicle, waving her arm and pointing to the car as her ride.

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At this point, the trooper told Rizzo to relax, which was followed by further verbal attacks on the trooper by Rizzo. Although his wife apologized and had him reenter the car, the trooper told the wife that if he continued he would be arrested, as his behavior had drawn a crowd, leading to a disruption of traffic in the area.

However, Rizzo left his car and entered into another profanity-laced tirade at this point, reentering his car after being told he was under arrest.

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Rizzo attempted to leave, but was at first hindered by a double parked car, eventually cutting the wheel to the left and running over the trooper’s foot.

Another trooper was able to stop Rizzo’s vehicle within the Ted Williams Tunnel and apprehended him after Rizzo left his car and attempted to escape on foot.

Rizzo has been charged with alleged assault and battery on a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a police officer as well as other motor vehicle violations.

He will appear in East Boston District Court on Monday.

The injured trooper was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.


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