Man Assaults 2 Workers, Steals Car From Same Dedham Gas Station In 1 Day: Cops

DEDHAM, MA — A West Roxbury man went on a day-long one-man crime spree at a Dedham Sam's Express, police said.

John Laurent, 35, first showed up at the 2 Washington St. service station shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday and assaulted a store employee, the Dedham police said in a media release.

See also: See Lyrid Meteors, Comets In MA In April: Best Times To Watch

"A customer of the business had intervened and escorted the suspect out of the store," the release said, and he was no longer around by the time officers arrived.

Then, shortly after 5:30 p.m., the same man returned and assaulted another worker, according to the release.

See also: Massachusetts Man Charged With Trump Death Threat Facebook Posts

"A Boston Police officer was able to identify the suspect prior to the arrival of Dedham officers and before the suspect left
the area," the release said. "Responding officers were unable t o locate the suspect. Based on the identification, officers
proceeded to prepare a complaint application to charge the suspect with assault and battery."

But Laurent apparently struck again a little more than five hours later, this time stealing a car according to the release.

See also: 5 Events That Are Practically A Rite Of Spring In Massachusetts

"A customer reported that his vehicle had been stolen
from the area of the gas pumps after he walked away from the vehicle to pay for gas," the release said. "The stolen vehicle
was observed being driven on Washington Street towards Boston."

The next day, Easter, "an arrest warrant was obtained to charge the (Laurent) with two counts of assault
and battery, trespassing and larceny of a motor vehicle," the release said.

See also: Boston Convenience Store Owner Pleads Guilty To Multi-Million Dollar Snap Scheme

The Boston police arrested Laurent at his home and turned him over to the Dedham Police Department Sunday afternoon, according to the release.

The stolen car was located in West Roxbury, the release said.

See also: Disgraced Burlington HS Wrestling Coach Sentenced For Sexting Agent Posing As 14-Year-Old Girl