BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Boston Police announced Sunday that one of their officers is on leave after being charged with assault and battery. The alleged incident happened while the officer was off duty and a passenger in a Uber car.
At about 2:45 a.m., an Uber driver reported that he'd been assaulted by a passenger near Farragut Road in South Boston. He told police that the passenger began yelling at him, saying he was going to the wrong location. The passenger then allegedly assaulted the driver when he stopped the car.
The driver stepped out of the vehicle and the passenger reportedly hopped into the driver's seat and took off. Police say the driver was helped by another motorist passing by, and the pair followed the suspect who eventually stopped, got out of the car and fled. Officers later found the suspect, Michael Doherty, 40, of South Boston and charged him with assault and battery and using a motor vehicle without authority. Doherty is a 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department. He's been placed on administrative leave and the investigation remains ongoing.
Uber released the following statement Sunday night, saying the officer will no longer be able to use their services: âOur thoughts are with our valued partner during his recovery and we are supporting him in any way we can during this time. We have a strict policy to remove any rider that exhibits aggressive or abusive behavior from the platform and we have permanently blocked this rider's access. We stand ready to assist law enforcement in their investigation.â
Doherty is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.