Groveland Man To Be Charged After Tailing Black Woman

GROVELAND, MA — A Groveland man is facing charges after police said he followed a Black woman because he "didn't feel safe" with her driving in his neighborhood.

The 65-year-old man will be charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace, according to a news release from Groveland police. Police did not name him.

On Monday, Julia Santos, 21, said she saw an offer online about dog food available about a mile from her home and went to pick it up. Santos, who is Black, then drove away, at which point the man, who is white, began following her in his BMW convertible.

Police said the man disturbed neighbors during confrontation. A driver reported having to drive off the road to avoid the man while he was engaged in a verbal altercation with Santos, according to police.

Santos posted a video to Facebook showing the confrontation after the man accused her of suspicious behavior.

"I don't feel safe with you following me," she tells the man in the video

"I don't feel safe with you driving around my neighborhood," the man responds.

"Is it because I'm Black?" she asks.

The man denied that it was because of her race and said there are "too many people" driving around.

The man will be summonsed to Haverhill District Court at a later date.