Two Rhode Island men are awaiting a pre-trial hearing next month after being charged in connection with a violent confrontation that left a Boston police cruiser destroyed during an early morning "vehicle takeover" on October 5.
Julian Bowers, 18, of Cumberland, and William Cantwell, 19, of Warwick, were arrested following the chaotic scene at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street around 2 a.m. Both men pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on October 7 in Roxbury District Court.
According to Boston Police, a crowd of more than 100 people blocked the intersection with vehicles and immediately began attacking marked cruisers with fireworks, traffic cones, poles, and other objects. One cruiser sustained extensive damage after being repeatedly struck with fireworks, causing smoke and fire inside the vehicle. Members of the crowd also jumped onto the hood of the cruiser before it was ultimately destroyed by fire and towed from the scene.
Bowers faces charges of malicious destruction of property over $1,200, disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest after allegedly throwing objects at officers and their cruiser. Cantwell faces identical charges, plus possession of Class D marijuana after officers discovered two packages of edibles in his bag. The legal age for cannabis use in Massachusetts is 21.
Both suspects posted bail—$500 for Bowers and $1,000 for Cantwell—significantly lower than the amounts prosecutors requested. The district attorney's office had sought $15,000 bail for Bowers and $20,000 for Cantwell, along with GPS monitoring and curfew conditions.
The low bail amounts sparked immediate criticism from state officials. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued a strongly worded statement condemning the incident and the bail decision. "These individuals' behavior was completely destructive, dangerous and against the law," Healey said. "I'm disgusted by these meetups, and I will be taking action to support law enforcement and hold accountable anyone who attacks our police and communities to the fullest extent of the law. Bail should have been set higher as the prosecution requested."
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also condemned the violence. "The outside individuals who brought dangerous and disorderly conduct into Boston last night will be prosecuted and held fully accountable for their actions," Wu said in a statement issued after the incident. "These groups are not welcome here and will face serious consequences."
Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, described the event as a coordinated attack on law enforcement. "There shouldn't be any tolerance for this type of behavior," Calderone said. "They knew what they were going to do and they were hell-bent on attacking police officers."
As conditions of their release, both men must wear GPS monitoring bracelets and are prohibited from entering Boston except for court proceedings or meetings with their attorneys. Court records indicate both suspects also have a pending drag racing case in Rhode Island.
The two men are scheduled to appear in court on November 5 for a pre-trial hearing.
Boston Police continue to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with information to contact detectives at 617-343-4683.