Sep 28, 2006 5:37 pm US/Eastern
Youth Counselor Charged In Highway Attacks
EAST BROOKFIELD (CBS4) ―
A 29-year-old youth counselor was arraigned Thursday on charges related to a string of highway attacks in central Massachusetts.
Police say Robert Canavan, of Hubbardston, was responsible for throwing rocks and bottles at vehicles on Route 49 in Spencer and East Brookfield. In one incident, a bottle of suntan lotion smashed the windshield of a truck.
Canavan is facing six counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and five counts of wanton destruction. He did not enter a plea in Western Worcester District Court and is being held pending a competency hearing.
Cheryl McKissick was a victim in one of the highway attacks. "I think he should really be prosecuted to the extent of the law, prank or no prank, reason or no reason."
State and local police pulled over Canavan's jeep Tuesday night after a milk truck windshield was smashed, and fingerprinted him. The following day he went to the East Brookfield police station for questioning.
According to court records, the Headmaster of Straight Ahead Ministries in Hubbardston told police Canavan had confessed to a co-worker.
Canavan issued the following statement to investigators:
"On Monday 9/18...I was upset and was not feeling like myself and threw a rock. On Wednesday 9/22...I still was not feeling normal and threw a rock...I never meant to hurt anyone. I only aimed at tractor trailers so no one would get hurt or injured. I am sorry."
A friend of Canavan's family tells CBS4 that Carnavan was upset about splitting up with his wife.
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