From BPD News:
Original Incident: At about 1:50 PM on Sunday June 20, 2021, officers assigned to District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a call for a severely injured person in the area of Columbia Road and Washington Street in Dorchester. On arrival, officers located an elderly male victim suffering from a leg injury. The victim stated that he had been approached by an unidentified male suspect who emerged from a stopped motor vehicle and struck him in his shin with a construction hammer before fleeing the area.
Area B-2 detectives canvassed the area and obtained video of the suspect. Not able to identify the suspect, detectives requested assistance from the BRIC (Boston Regional Intelligence Center) in disseminating a flyer to local law enforcement.
On Friday, June 25, 2021, based on the victim’s age and severity of his injuries, detectives from B-2 requested assistance from the Office of Media Relations to help identify the suspect. Friday evening reporters Rhondella Richardson from WCVB, and Bill Shields from WBZ-TV packaged stories of the brutal attack on their evening newscasts. After the news coverage was aired, investigators received information through the crimestopper tipline which assisted them in identifying the suspect.
This afternoon, on Saturday, June 26, 2021, detectives from Area B-2 placed Michael Leoney, 58, of Dorchester under arrest for Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Victim over 65 years old. He will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.
The Area B-2 detectives and Office of Media Relations extend their sincere thanks to both Rhondella, Bill, their photographers, and assignment desks at both WCVB and WBZ-TV for their assistance in identifying this violent suspect.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
