VIDEO: Construction Workers Help Officer Subdue Suspect

Two construction workers came to the aid of a Boston Police officer, helping tackle and arrest a larceny suspect who was struggling to get away. It was all caught on surveillance video released on the Boston Police website.

“The ‘thin blue line’ just got a little bit thicker,” Captain Paul Ivens said when presenting Turner Construction workers Ned Flood and Robert Doyle with Commissioner’s Commendation plaques after their heroic actions.

Boston Officer Edward Fleming was working a detail for Turner Construction at 888 Boylston St. on Aug. 31 when he heard a report of a larceny at the Berkeley College Bookstore, a few blocks away. He then saw a man matching the suspect’s description walk by the construction site and began following the man, who fled down Boylston Street into the Prudential Mall.

Officer Fleming caught up with the suspect in an elevator corridor of the mall, where he reacted violently and tried to escape. Fortunately, Flood and Doyle had followed the chase from the construction site and caught up just in time to prevent the suspect from escaping. They helped quickly subdue the suspect, preventing injury to all involved.

Ivens commended Officer Fleming, along with Flood and Doyle for their “selfless actions.”

“These construction workers do a lot for this city and have always had a great relationship with our officers,” Iven said. “We appreciate their support and the support of those from Boston Properties for their role in following up on this incident.”