Break and chase ends in arrest
Published on July 16th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - A Chelsea man who reportedly chopsockyed his way into the Bamboo House Chinese restaurant on Main Street, pilfered $24 in cash, and then led Stoneham Police on a "high-speed" chase into Winchester was arrested during the wee hours of Monday, July 14.
Christopher N. Bibbo, 41, of 33 Chestnut Street, Chelsea, was arrested and charged with breaking and entering in the night time with intent to commit a felony, larceny from a building, receiving stolen property and malicious destruction of property over $250 as well as Winchester charges of failure to stop for a police officer, reckless operation, operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license, failure to stop for a stop sign and speeding.
According to Stoneham Police reports, officers were called to the Bamboo House for a "break in progress" at 1:42 a.m. Local police officials allege that Bibbo was operating a stolen 1997 red Ford dump truck when he reportedly forced his way into the Stoneham eatery by hurling a rock through the front door.
"Sgt. Stefanelli reported to the scene and caught up to the vehicle in the area of Forest Street and Washington Street in Winchester, but the vehicle pulled away at a high rate of speed," said Stoneham Police Lt. Rick McCarthy.
The car eventually sped out of control and crashed into a US Postal mailbox at the Dunham Road intersection after Bibbo attempted to make a right turn. Stefanelli witnessed a lone suspect spring out of the still-moving construction vehicle, and flee the scene.
"The operator exited the truck, and the dump truck then started moving again across Washington Street and then crossed to the other side of the road where it hit a parked motor vehicle," said McCarthy.
Stefanelli lost sight of the suspect after he exited the red truck, and Stoneham and Winchester Police secured the scene and waited for a State Police K-9 unit to arrive.
"While they were waiting, Mass. State Police Trooper Schena spotted the suspect lying in some brush approximately 150 feet from where he exited the vehicle," said McCarthy.
According to McCarthy, Stefanelli positively identified the bushwhacking suspect and arrested him for the breaking and entering charges.
Bamboo House employees reported $24 in cash missing from the cash register, and, according to Stoneham Police, the suspect had the exact amount of $24 on his person.
The story employs an unexpected turn once the suspect was located in the shrubbery, however, according to Stoneham Police officials.
"When they grabbed him in the bushes, he said he couldn't stand up because he was a paraplegic," said McCarthy. "We had to treat him as a paraplegic and we even had to transport him over to court in an ambulance. It's a strange twist."
According to Stoneham Police, there was no wheelchairs, crutches or other similar medical equipment found in the truck, Bamboo House or the Winchester arrest site.
Bibbo alleges that a group of friends dragged him into the truck, robbed the Bamboo House, and then threw him out of the truck in Winchester, according to Stoneham Police.
"Sgt. Stefanelli observed only one person exiting the truck in Winchester," said McCarthy. "Not one or more persons that were dragging someone behind them."
Stoneham Police officials also revealed that the crimes may be in violation of Bibbo's Federal probation, and the suspect could be going back to Federal prison.
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