MARSHFIELD, Mass. – Two of three good Samaritans who helped a Marshfield police officer arrest a defiant and combative OUI suspect are describing the tense ordeal.
It started around 5pm on Saturday in the area of Ferry Street and Clay Pit Road. That’s when police say 37-year-old James Shields ran a red light and crashed into another car.
Several witnesses saw his SUV drive away from the scene moments after the impact.
They called police with a description of the vehicle and a partial license plate and proceeded to follow the SUV.
“What we were seeing him do and the way he was driving showed a complete disregard for anyone,” said one of the good Samaritans, who did not want his name used.
Boston 25 News spoke with one of the Good Samaritans who followed behind Shields for about two miles.
He said he saw Shields refuse to pull over for a responding officer.
The chase ended in a shopping center parking lot on Plain Street when police said Shields got out of the vehicle and ignored the officer’s commands.
“I wasn’t complying,” said the anonymous Good Samaritan. “Once he put his hand in his pocket, he wasn’t sure if there was anything there or not.”
The two witnesses who followed Shields into the parking lot helped the officer bring Shields to the ground.
“We brought him down,” said the good Samaritan. “She was able to put a fist on it, and it took both of us to put the other arm on it to put it on.”
Boston 25 News interviewed another good Samaritan who was eating at nearby Ming Dynasty and rushed to help.
“I jumped on his legs because he was moving with his legs,” she said. “If I can help, I’ll be in. That’s all there is to it!”
Additional police patrols arrived after Shields was handcuffed, and it continued to be a team effort to get him into the back of a squad car.
“When I showed up, the party was still very resilient,” Sergeant Marshfield said. Stephen Mulligan. “I was doing everything I could to escape.”
Sgt. Mulligan said it took an additional 15 minutes to arrest the suspected drunken driver as he spat and kicked officers.
He describes overwhelming gratitude for the three good Samaritans who risked their own safety to help.
“They went right in, and it could have gone very badly, very quickly if they didn’t act as quickly as they did,” added Sgt. Mulligan.
Shields was arraigned Monday on more than two dozen charges and held on $1,500 bond after Saturday’s crash, police said in a statement late Monday. Initial bail had been set Saturday at $10,000.
Shields was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, second offense; assault and battery on a police officer, five counts; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, three counts; threatening to commit a crime, five counts; willful and unjust damage to property, two counts; intimidating a police officer, resisting arrest, reckless operation, negligent operation, speeding, leaving the scene of property damage, failure to stop, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor signalling, failure to stop at a red light, marked lanes violation, no inspection sticker, unsafe lane change, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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