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Federal agent booked in hit-and-run road rage crash
By Laurel J. Sweet
Thursday, April 6, 2006 - Updated: 02:06 PM EST
An enforcement officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce is facing attempted murder charges in connection with a hit-and-run road rage incident in South Boston that left a motorcyclist critically injured, police say.
Thomas Porro, 34, of South Boston, who was arrested Tuesday after police called him in to talk, pleaded not guilty yesterday in the South Boston division of Boston Municipal Court. He has been released on $10,000 cash bail.
But the silver 2004 Nissan Maxima authorities say Porro was driving when he allegedly ran Frank Merlonghi and his 2003 Harley-Davidson off Summer Street and into a center island the evening of March 29 has gone missing.
“The car that we are searching for is believed to be an official government vehicle,” said David Procopio, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley. “To date (Porro) has not provided accurate information as to the car’s location.”
Procopio said Boston police also are checking into witness accounts that Porro threatened Merlonghi, 45, also of South Boston, with a handgun during a moving argument that led to Merlonghi being hospitalized with two fractured legs and several busted ribs.
“We are investigating whether he flashed a gun at the victim,” Procopio said, “and if so, if it was his government-issued weapon.”
Procopio confirmed police seized a gun and Porro’s federal badge when he was booked. He said there is no evidence to suggest Porro and Merlonghi knew each other previously.
A second man on a separate motorcycle, whom Merlonghi was riding with, was not injured.
Neither Porro’s attorney nor a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Commerce could be reached for comment.
Porro is due to return to court for a pretrial conference on May 17. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the missing Nissan Maxima is urged to call Boston police at 617-343-4742.
By Laurel J. Sweet
Thursday, April 6, 2006 - Updated: 02:06 PM EST
An enforcement officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce is facing attempted murder charges in connection with a hit-and-run road rage incident in South Boston that left a motorcyclist critically injured, police say.
Thomas Porro, 34, of South Boston, who was arrested Tuesday after police called him in to talk, pleaded not guilty yesterday in the South Boston division of Boston Municipal Court. He has been released on $10,000 cash bail.
But the silver 2004 Nissan Maxima authorities say Porro was driving when he allegedly ran Frank Merlonghi and his 2003 Harley-Davidson off Summer Street and into a center island the evening of March 29 has gone missing.
“The car that we are searching for is believed to be an official government vehicle,” said David Procopio, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley. “To date (Porro) has not provided accurate information as to the car’s location.”
Procopio said Boston police also are checking into witness accounts that Porro threatened Merlonghi, 45, also of South Boston, with a handgun during a moving argument that led to Merlonghi being hospitalized with two fractured legs and several busted ribs.
“We are investigating whether he flashed a gun at the victim,” Procopio said, “and if so, if it was his government-issued weapon.”
Procopio confirmed police seized a gun and Porro’s federal badge when he was booked. He said there is no evidence to suggest Porro and Merlonghi knew each other previously.
A second man on a separate motorcycle, whom Merlonghi was riding with, was not injured.
Neither Porro’s attorney nor a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Commerce could be reached for comment.
Porro is due to return to court for a pretrial conference on May 17. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the missing Nissan Maxima is urged to call Boston police at 617-343-4742.
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