Man in Easton commits crimes to get help from police

This one isn’t a story you hear everyday.

According to Deputy Chief Keith Boone, at approximately 4:26am on Thursday May 2, the Easton Police Department responded to the area of 14 Truman Drive after a caller reported a male subject was vandalizing vehicles and had started a fire in the roadway. Sergeant Brandon Walkus along with Officers Dennis Kitsos, Anthony DiCarlo, and Jason Wheeler responded and located the suspect, later identified as William Monahan age 47 of Rutland, Vermont.

Officers came across two vandalized vehicles, a fire in the roadway, and found Monahan standing in the driveway of a nearby home. When questioned, Monahan, who appeared intoxicated, told officers that he had traveled by bus from Vermont to purchase a pair of sneakers in the City of Boston. He was unable to explain how he arrived in Easton and had no relation to anyone in the area where he was located. During the investigation, Monahan stated that he was upset after losing his cellphone and needed to find a way to contact the police for help. He went on to explain that he “decided to destroy the two vehicles because he believed someone would eventually call the police”. After vandalizing the vehicles, Monahan emptied two trash barrels and started a fire with the contents inside.

Monahan was arrested and charged with 2 counts of malicious damage to a motor vehicle and 2 counts of arson (burning personal property). He was expected to be arraigned in Taunton District Court.

Photos courtesy of Easton Police.