Daniel Koolick |
On October 22, 2016 at approximately 3:30PM Transit Police officers assigned to the North District received a radio call to respond to the Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington for a report of an MBTA bus operator who was assaulted. Upon arrival officers ascertained the following information: a male, later identified as Daniel Koolick, 21, of Burlington boarded an MBTA bus at Alewife station. While travelling through the Burlington Mall Koolick decided he wanted to exit the bus. The MBTA bus operator/victim explained to Koolick he could not stop the bus in between stops but assured Koolick he would stop at the next stop, which was less then a minute away. This angered Koolick as he began screaming at the operator and kicking/breaking the doors and windows of the bus. Koolick then physically attacked the operator by grabbing him by the throat and screaming. "Do you want to die". Subsequently Koolick relinquished his grip on the victim's neck and fled off the bus.
Koolick in his haste to flee left his cellular telephone behind. At this time numerous Transit and Burlington Police vehicles were on scene and clearly visible. Koolick, obviously not a member of the Mensa Society, returned amongst the police activity to retrieve his phone and was subsequently placed into custody for Aggravated Assault & Battery (to wit Strangulation), Threats to Commit a Crime and Malicious Destruction of Property. Koolick was transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process and will be arraigned sometime today.
Assaults on MBTA employees will NOT be tolerated and the TPD will vigorously pursue and prosecute anyone who does so.
media inquiries should be directed to Superintendent Richard Sullivan at rsullivan@mbta.com
the events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
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