Massachusetts Good Samaritans help officer arrest man facing 30 charges, after chase, assaults, spitting blood

A Massachusetts man is facing over 30 charges after bystanders helped an officer with the arrest after fleeing from a crash.

According to police, on Saturday at approximately 5:00 p.m., Marshfield Officers were dispatched to the area of Ferry St. and Clay Pit Road for the report of a motor vehicle accident. One of the vehicles involved fled the scene of the accident and passed one of the responding officers. The responding officer pursued the vehicle in the area of Furnace St. and the vehicle did not stop for the officer. The vehicle accelerated and swerved in front of another vehicle while changing lanes. The vehicle with heavy damage from the accident then turned right into a business parking lot on Plain St. and stopped. The officer exited their cruiser to check on the operator of the vehicle and the operator of the vehicle, later identified as 37-year-old James Michael Shields of Marshfield, started to walk away from the officer ignoring commands to stop. The operator then put his right hand into his sweatshirt while telling the officer to “f*** off”. At this point the officer made an attempt to gain control of him. The suspect then began actively pulling away from the officer.

Three Good Samaritans in the area assisted the officer on scene allowing the officer to gain control of the suspect and place him in handcuffs after an extended struggle. Shields continued to fight with the officer and 3 civilians who bravely put their own safety aside to assist the officer. Shields continued to scream, yell, kick and spit at other responding officers as they arrived on scene while a large crowd from the local businesses witnessed this. Shields continued to spit (containing blood) and kick officers as they placed him in the cruiser. He continued to swear at the responding officers throughout this event as well. He also threatened to physically harm every officer on scene and during the booking process including threatening one officer and his family and threatening to kill the initial responding officer as well as the officer who transported him to the station.

Shields is being charged with OUI Liquor 2nd Offense, Leaving the Scene Property Damage, Reckless Operation, Negligent Operation, Failure to Stop, Unsafe Operation of a motor vehicle, Speeding, Failure to signal, No Inspection Sticker, Failure to stop red light, Unsafe Lane Change, Marked Lanes, Resisting Arrest, A&B on Police Officer (5 Counts), A&B Dangerous Weapon (3 Counts), Intimidation Police Officer, Malicious and Wanton Damage to Property (2 Counts), Threat to commit a crime (5 counts), Disorderly Conduct, and Disturbing the Peace.

Shields bail was set at $10,000 on Saturday evening. After being arraigned this morning on these charges his bail was set at $1500.