Suspect Who Tried to Escape Via Pond Also Escaped From Police Cell in 2012

The North Reading man who tried to evade police by going into Martins Pond this week made news two years ago when he and another prisoner escaped from a North Reading Police holding cell.

Christian Giangrande, 22, and another North Reading man were in a holding cell awaiting arraignment in August 2012 when they “were able to take advantage of a breach in the locking mechanism of the holding cell door that allowed them to escape,” North Reading Police said at the time. 

Their escape was short-lived and police placed them back into custody within two hours. The men faced additional charges because of the escape.

At the time, police investigated why the holding facility door was not properly secured and said the matter would be fixed and not happen again.

Giangrande, now 24, was arrested on Wednesday morning after he tried to walk, swim and row away from police in Martins Pond. He fled police after an officer found two men passed out in a car on Main Street.

Giangrande ran toward Martins Pond and was seen walking and swimming in the pond before taking a rowboat and trying to row from police.

Police with help from North Reading Fire’s water rescue boat apprehended the man in the pond.

He was charged on a warrant, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer and larceny more than $250.