Boston, MA — A 19-year-old Illinois man faces a felony charge after allegedly stealing a Boston police bicycle during Marathon Monday crowd control efforts and attempting to flee before officers quickly caught him, Boston Police said.
The incident unfolded around 10:15 a.m. Monday on Foster Street as officers assigned to the Boston Police Department’s citywide bicycle unit worked to clear large crowds gathered in residential backyards. Massachusetts State Police, Somerville Police, and Boston Housing Police assisted in dispersing the group, according to the Boston Police Department.
Arrest follows attempted getaway on stolen police bicycle
Investigators say officers had parked their bicycles in front of 292 Foster Street while managing the crowd when the suspect suddenly mounted one of the bikes and rode off toward the intersection of Foster Street and Radnor Road.
The suspect, later identified as Augustus Peterson, 19, of Evanston, Illinois, allegedly abandoned the bicycle in the driveway of 284 Foster Street and tried to escape on foot by jumping over a fence.
Officers quickly converged on the location and took Peterson into custody without further incident, police said.
The Boston Police Department confirmed Peterson now faces a charge of larceny over $1,200, a felony under Massachusetts law.
Peterson is expected to be arraigned in Brighton District Court.
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Key Points
• Suspect allegedly stole a Boston police bicycle during Marathon Monday crowd dispersal
• Officers arrested 19-year-old Augustus Peterson after a brief attempted escape
• Peterson faces a felony larceny charge and will appear in Brighton District Court
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Heavy Marathon Monday crowds set the stage
Marathon Monday, one of Boston’s busiest days of the year, brings large crowds into neighborhoods along and near the race route, often stretching police resources as officers manage both spectators and public safety concerns.
The situation on Foster Street reflected those challenges, with multiple law enforcement agencies coordinating to clear private property areas where crowds had gathered.
Boston Police said the bicycles were temporarily staged as officers focused on moving people out of backyards, a routine part of maintaining order during large-scale events.
That moment created an opportunity investigators say Peterson seized.
Rapid police response limits escalation
The attempted theft was brief, lasting only moments before officers tracked the suspect’s movements and surrounded him near where he ditched the bicycle.
The coordinated response from multiple agencies on scene helped ensure the situation did not escalate further, particularly given the density of people in the area during the event.
No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
What the charge means
A charge of larceny over $1,200 in Massachusetts typically applies when the value of stolen property exceeds that threshold, elevating the offense to a more serious criminal level compared to petty theft.
Police did not specify the exact value of the bicycle but indicated the charge reflects the estimated worth of the equipment.
Ongoing case status
Peterson remains in custody pending arraignment in Brighton District Court, where the formal charges will be presented and the next steps in the case determined.
Boston Police have not indicated whether additional charges are under consideration.
