Crime & Safety

Arlington Man Allegedly Assaults, Spits On 2 Women on Orange Line

The incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. Monday near the MBTA's Haymarket Station.

A 43-year-old Arlington man allegedly berated two women Monday night on an Orange Line train heading to Haymarket Station in Boston.

After the women told him to leave them alone and moved away from him on the train, the man, Richard Botelho, followed them and tried to grab one of their cell phones, according to MBTA Transit Police. In the ensuing struggle, Botelho spat on both women and swung his fists wildly, police said.

At this time, the train entered Haymarket, and a male passenger intervened and held Botelho on the platform until police arrived.

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Botelho was combative toward the officers as well, according to police.

He was charged with assault to rob (unarmed) and assault and battery.

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