Man Arrested, Charged with breaking into a Fitchburg, MA Police Cruiser
By Matt O’Brien - Fitchburg, MA
10/25/04
A police officer returned to his cruiser late Saturday night and found an intruder sitting in the driver’s seat.
Officer Steven Giannini immediately arrested Rene A. Rivera, of 62 Grove Street and charged the 20-year-old man with breaking and entering into the police car and destruction of property.
Police aren’t sure why Rivera chose to enter a marked police cruiser but Ouellette said the found Giannini’s duty bag, which contained items such as his notebook and the flashlight, hidden behind a nearby home.
The police officer was responding to a 911 call at 32 Prichard Street, not far from the police station, when the break-in occurred at about 10:30 p.m., Ouellette said.
Giannini remembered locking the door of the car before entering the house, but he left one of the front car door windows slightly open, Ouellette said.
A plastic window screen, which protects a driver from the elements, was found ripped off and lying on the ground next to the cruiser, Ouellette said.
Giannini finished handling the police call and saw Rivera in his cruiser, which was parked directly in front of the home, Ouellette said.
Police also later charged Rivera with assault and battery on a police officer.
Ouellette said the man attacked Giannini when the police officer went to his cell to bring him to the booking desk to be fingerprinted.
"He attempted to tackle Officer Giannini," Ouellette said.
Rivera was scheduled to be arraigned today on the charges in Fitchburg District Court.