Victim Of Bedford Carjacking Has Sympathy For Suspect
BEDFORD (CBS) - A 35-year-old Quincy man was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of carjacking after allegedly taking off in a pickup truck with a Bedford woman sitting in the passenger seat.
Dianne (who prefers that her last name not be used) was waiting for her husband Bill outside Northside Convenience in Bedford when police say 35-year-old Michael Sullivan jumped in.
"I had the tray with coffees and all I could see is my wife Dianne going by in my truck about ten feet away."
Dianne says Sullivan told her a story about working for the store and helping customers. But as they drove away west on Route 225 toward Carlisle, she says she became uncomfortable.
"I'm saying where is he going, I don't know where he's going. I got a little edgy."
Dianne says Sullivan was quiet and never threatened but that was of little comfort. "The fact that he was calm didn't make me feel relaxed. At that point I had no clue how he was going to react."
Prosecutors say Sullivan had walked away from a Bedford rehab facility and was first looking to call a taxi at the convenience store. His attorney says he's an Iraqi war veteran struggling with substance abuse and PTSD.
"I feel a certain amount of sympathy," said Dianne. "I feel bad he's a vet who has experienced what he has."
It was a quick thinking Bill who alerted police to their direction and officers stopped Sullivan about three miles away. Dianne says the flashing blue lights were a relief as well as the reunion with her husband.
"We just hugged and held each other. Not much to say because the emotions were so strong."
Sullivan is being held until another court appearance February 17.
Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno praised the quick action of officers. "We are very fortunate in Bedford to have one of the lowest crime rates in the Commonwealth, but that only underscores the importance of training and preparation by all members of the Bedford Police Department."