Man Indicted After Hitting Braintree Cop With Car: Prosecution

DEDHAM, MA — A Medford man was indicted Monday after hitting a Braintree police officer with his car after trying to shoplift at the South Shore Plaza, according to police. Anthony Bynum, 18, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident of personal injury.

On Jan. 16, Bynum was acting as the getaway driver for two teens trying to shoplift at the South Shore Plaza, police told the Patriot Ledger. Police said the teens were spotted at Bynum's car. An officer in front of the car tried to keep the group from leaving, but police said Bynum accelerated and struck the officer. The officer was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

According to police, the Bynum kept driving after hitting the officer and pulled onto Common Street. A cruiser was nearby and chased the car as it swerved into the wrong lane twice, police said. While driving in the wrong lane, police said the suspects collided with an SUV head-on. The SUV had two occupants, a 50-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman, both from Quincy, the Patriot Ledger reported. Both were hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries.

Bynum's indicted transferred the case to Norfolk Superior Court, where he could potentially face a longer sentence if convicted. His next court date is April 17.