Three men are now facing charges after they allegedly kidnapped and robbed a 14-year-old on an MBTA train. According to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, the suspects, identified as 23-year-old Michael Cole from Boston, 25-year-old Derrick Eures from Dedham, and 19-year-old Nathan Moorewhite Jr. from Dorchester, were charged last Monday in Roxbury BMC. They are being held without bail, awaiting a dangerousness hearing set for Thursday.
The incident, which occurred last week, began when the trio of men, all wearing black face masks, reportedly began to threaten a group of teenagers on the train. The situation escalated quickly when they allegedly prevented one of the teens from exiting at the next stop. In a moment evidenced to have gravely undermined the safety and well-being of a minor, they pulled him back onto the train and forcibly took his cell phone. The victim managed to leave at Stony Brook Station and later reported the theft to the police.
In a statement obtained by the Suffolk County DA's office, MBTA Transit Police were alerted by the victim's friends on the same day of the incident. Surveillance footage corroborated the youths' account, showing the men's aggressive confrontation and the subsequent theft. Judge Lisa Ann Grant, after reviewing the case and deeming the suspects dangerous, mandated their release to GPS monitoring and house arrest while also banning them from riding the MBTA during the legal proceedings.
The Suffolk County DA's office has been vocal in condemning the actions of the accused. "All forms of bullying and violence are intolerable, but this conduct toward a 14-year-old boy is particularly deplorable," said Hayden. "All our residents deserve to go about their daily lives safely, peacefully and without fear of harassment or violence." He went on to praise the swift response of the Transit police in apprehending the individuals involved. After a search, police were able to recover the stolen cell phone from Moorewhite's possession.
The suspects are scheduled to return to court for probable cause hearings on May 20. Until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the suspects shall remain presumed innocent.
