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Police shoot, critically injure man accused of hijacking trash truck in Everett, DA says
The alleged driver was tased multiple times and eventually shot during a confrontation with police in Everett, the district attorney said.
A man accused of hijacking a trash truck in Everett is in critical condition after police shot him during a confrontation, the district attorney said at a press conference Thursday night.
Admilson Vizcaino, of Everett, is charged with four counts of attempted armed carjacking, two counts of armed carjacking assault, armed assault with intent to rob, and various charge motor vehicle charges, including leaving the scene and property damage, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said. Ryan said Vizcaino allegedly carried a knife.
What appeared to be a Republic Services trash truck became disabled on Alford Street Bridge between Everett and Boston, closing Lower Broadway due to the crime scene, Everett police said around 4 p.m. Thursday.
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The incident began hours earlier, when the man was seen in Medford acting erratically at a gas station around 12:45 p.m., Ryan said, before driving away in his black Chevy SUV. The car was then seen by police in Stoneham, who unsuccessfully attempted to pull him over. Vizcaino’s car was then allegedly in Billerica at 2 p.m., where a shoplifting took place, Ryan said.
One of Vizcaino’s family members then called Malden police to report he was in Malden. Police followed him into Everett, where officers lost track of his SUV, Ryan continued.
“Mr. Vizcaino then crashed that SUV on Broadway here in Everett … He drove the car for a short distance until it became completely disabled,” Ryan said. “At that point, he was attempting to gain entry into some other cars that were in traffic. He was unsuccessful at getting himself into another car.”
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Vizcaino was then surrounded by law enforcement officers; he continued onto the road and allegedly tried to gain access to multiple vehicles, according to Ryan. He then allegedly approached the Republic trash truck. The passenger got out, and Vizcaino struggled with the driver, the DA said.
“Both state police and an Everett police officer had approached that door. They were attempting to get the driver out of the truck. Shots were fired. At that point, several shots were fired and the driver was safely extracted from the truck,” Ryan said.
Vizcaino then drove the trash truck for about a half-mile, striking light poles and fire hydrants, Ryan said.
“At some point, the truck ultimately was disabled and came to rest on the top of the bridge. Mr. Viscano was again approached by the troopers and Everett officers and eventually taken from the truck,” Ryan said.
Ryan said Vizcaino was also tased several times. He was brought to the hospital and is in critical condition, the DA said.
The Everett police officer who shot Vizcaino was placed on administrative leave, per department policy.
“It is more likely than not that these officers and troopers saved many lives today, during this event,” Everett Police Chief Paul Strong said during the press conference.
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Lower Broadway in Everett was temporarily shut down around 4 p.m Thursday due to the active crime scene, police said on Facebook. The street was closed as of around 5 p.m., and police were processing three crime scenes in the area.
Videos of the incident have been circulated online, including one shared by Boston 25 News of at least four police cruisers following the trash truck.
Republic Services declined to comment on the incident, and Encore casino confirmed “the incident occurred in front of the property.”
“The resort is unaffected and remains open,” a spokesperson said. “Team members are assisting with traffic.”
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