Crime & Safety

T Rider Helps Nab 'Depraved' Man At Downtown Crossing: Transit PD

An Orange Line rider saw the assault and helped detain the man until they arrived, police said.

BOSTON, MA — Police charged a man with indecently assaulting a girl under 14 at Downtown Crossing, thanks to a Good Samaritan who saw it happen and helped keep an eye on the 44-year-old man until police arrived.

"There are no words to adequately describe the depths of depravation..... A HUGE thank you for the passenger who stepped in and assisted," the Transit Police said on social media after the incident.

This morning while a girl and her mother were on the Orange Line nearing Downtown Crossing, another passenger watched uncomfortably as he saw a man later identified as Michael Brooks, 44, of Revere, stare at the girl, who was under 14. As the train stopped at Downtown Crossing, the passenger watched as Brooks followed the girl and her mother off the train and saw him assault her, he later told police.

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The passenger stopped Brooks on the platform and would not let him leave while someone called police. The passenger remained until police arrived.

Before Transit police took Brooks into custody, he made incriminating statements to officers, police said.

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"The Transit Police are extremely grateful to the male passenger who assisted in this ugly incident !!!!!" police said in a statement.

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Photo courtesy Transit Police

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