Tewksbury Man Arraigned in Car Chase, Stolen Car Incident

A Tewksbury man was arraigned in Woburn District Court Tuesday on charges he allegedly stole a motor vehicle in Lowell and led police on a high speed chase when they tried to pull the stolen vehicle over in Burlington on Monday, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

William Tighe, 29, of Tewksbury, was arraigned on charges of assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, use of a motor vehicle without authority, reckless driving, speeding, driving with a suspended license, failure to stop for police, marked lane violations, and failure to signal.

Woburn District Court Judge Timothy Gailey set bail for Tighe at $10,000 cash. Tighe’s next scheduled court date is January 28.

“It’s fortunate that this incident ended with no one seriously hurt,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Yesterday morning, when many people were going to work, William Tighe raced off when police tried to pull him over near the Burlington Mall; at one point the car he was reportedly driving was on the sidewalk and blew out a tire. Then Tighe allegedly drove onto several major highways before his vehicle hit a police cruiser. The safety of the public certainly was threatened.”

According to authorities, Tighe stole a vehicle in the city of Lowell and on Monday morning, Dec. 29, when a Burlington police officer allegedly tried to stop the vehicle near the Burlington Mall near Winn Street, Tighe allegedly sped off. The police officer says instead of stopping, Tighe put the vehicle in reverse and drove over a curb and onto a sidewalk. The officer says Tighe then fled, driving the car onto Rte. 128 at speeds which reached 75 mph. Authorities allege that Tighe then drove onto Rte. 3, then Rte. 62. Authorities say on Rte. 62, Tighe lost control of the car, the vehicle swerved, and then struck a police vehicle and guardrail. The chase ended near the Bedford town line. 

Authorities say, in addition to charges in connection with yesterday’s incident, Tighe was also wanted on outstanding warrants from police in Tewksbury and Billerica.

Agencies involved in the investigation of this incident are the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and the Burlington, Bedford, and Lowell Police Departments.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.