Jan 14, 2008 5:27 pm US/Eastern
Boston Cop Accused Of Armed Gas Station Robbery
Officer Allegedly Used Police-Issued Gun
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
A Boston police officer accused of robbing a Roslindale gas station using his department-issued gun is being held on $50,000 bail. His attorney says alcohol may have played a role in the incident.
Officer Michael T. Jones, 44, was arrested by fellow officers Friday afternoon for allegedly robbing the Best of Boston gas station at Albano and Washington streets.
He was later admitted to Faulkner Hospital with chest pains. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in his hospital bed Monday. The judge ordered him to surrender his weapons and stay away from alcohol, drugs, the victims, witnesses and the gas station.
His attorney, Ken Anderson, says Jones is being treated for heart palpitations. Anderson says "diminished capacity" may have been a factor in the case. He says his client may have been intoxicated and had taken medication.
Jones allegedly pointed his gun at a clerk's head.
"He's depressed, he don't sleep, he don't sleep for two nights now," said Mike Makhoul, the clerk's father. "Thank God he didn't kill him."
Police say when Jones walked out the door he tried to rob another man - allegedly pointing his gun in the man's side and going through his pockets.
Another employee was able to get the license plate number of Jones's car, which helped police track him down.
Anderson said Jones has also been struggling with the fact that his father has recently been diagnosed with leukemia.
"He's moved in with his parents to help with his father's care. He's a 20-year veteran of the department. Whatever happened is an aberration."
Jones was charged with armed robbery, armed assault with intent to rob and two counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon.
He joined the Boston Police Department in 1988. He was last assigned in Hyde Park and is ranked as a patrol officer. He has been placed on administrative leave from the department pending his termination.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
