RANDOLPH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Boston man is facing a dozen charges, including assault with intent to murder, after he allegedly violently assaulted a Massachusetts State Trooper on the side of a highway early Saturday morning.
According to Massachusetts State Police, a State Trooper clocked a purple Dodge Charger speeding on Route 93 southbound in Randolph at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. MSP said the driver was going 81 mph in a 55 mph zone.
The Trooper activated his lights and pulled over the Dodge Charger as it continued to speed onto Route 24 southbound, MSP said.
The Trooper determined that the driver, 29-year-old Devin Fuller of Boston, had a suspended drivers license as a result of an immediate threat notification three days earlier.
Fuller allegedly refused to comply with the Trooper's repeated requests to step out of the car, and the Trooper noticed Fuller repeatedly looking down at the center console.
After his requests were ignored, MSP said the Trooper "attempted to take hold of the suspect's arm and escort him from the vehicle."
"At that point, Fuller punched the Trooper in the face and reached toward the center console," MSP said. "Fearing Fuller could be retrieving a weapon, the Trooper pulled the suspect from the vehicle and the altercation continued outside the car in the breakdown lane."
Once on the ground, Fuller allegedly continued to repeatedly strike the Trooper, then tackled him to the ground and drove his face into the pavement. Throughout the assault, MSP said the Trooper attempted to control Fuller and stop his actions.
As the Trooper got back onto his feet, MSP said Fuller grabbed him with both arms and drove him 15 to 20 feet into and across two travel lanes, and in front of an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle had to take evasive action and change lanes to avoid hitting the Trooper.
At that point, the Trooper and suspect again fell to the ground and continued fighting. Fuller allegedly "pulled" at the Trooper’s duty belt and reached for the Trooper’s service weapon, but the Trooper put both hands on his gun to prevent the suspect from gaining control of it.
The violent struggle ended when an off-duty Trooper, who was in his personal vehicle driving along Route 24, saw what was happening and pulled over to help his fellow Trooper.
When the off-duty Trooper approached the scene, Fuller allegedly got back into his vehicle and drove in reverse in the wrong direction about 100 yards at a high rate of speed.
Police said he then put the car back into forward gear, pulled across two travel lanes "with no regard for oncoming traffic," and fled down Route 24 southbound at an estimated speed of 140 mph, weaving across all lanes. The Trooper who had been attacked, meanwhile, returned to his cruiser and pursued Fuller while calling for backup.
MSP said Fuller exited Route 24 onto Route 139 in Stoughton. While exiting the ramp, the Trooper saw Fuller's purple Dodge Charger drive into an industrial park. Stoughton police and other Troopers responded to assist, including an MSP K9 unit and the off-duty Trooper who had pulled over to help at the site of the assault a few moments earlier.
The Charger was found abandoned in the rear of the industrial area. The State Police K9 unit and the Trooper who had been assaulted initiated a track of the suspect through a wooded area, MSP said.
As law enforcement teams tracked Fuller's route through the woods, Stoughton officers located and apprehended him behind a Hampton Inn & Suites on Page Street.
During an inventory search of Fuller's car, MSP said Troopers located a bottle of Hydrocodone pills, which is a Class-C controlled substance; a small amount of cannabis; three packets of THC-infused edibles, and plastic bags consistent with packaging and distribution of illegal narcotics.
Fuller was taken into custody and he declined medical attention, police said. He was booked at the State Police-Foxborough Barracks on a dozen charges;
Assault with intent to murder; Assault and battery on a police officer; Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; Failure to stop for police; Negligent operation of a motor vehicle; Reckless operation of a motor vehicle; Resisting arrest; Possession of a Class D narcotic with intent to distribute; Possession of a Class C narcotic with intent to distribute; Operating after license suspension; Speeding; and Disturbing the peace.
Fuller was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail, and was transported to Ash Street Jail in New Bedford to be held pending arraignment in Stoughton District Court on Monday.
MSP said the Trooper who was assaulted was transported to Milton Hospital, where he was treated for contusions and lacerations to his head and upper body, and a lower body injury.
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Mass State Police)