BOSTON, April 10, 2013—Six Boston College seniors were arraigned today on charges they vandalized a Brighton apartment, damaging a gas line and leaving behind a dangerous leak, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
Charged in Brighton District Court with breaking and entering in the nighttime and willful and malicious destruction of property over $250 were:
- CHARLES HOWE (D.O.B. 7/23/91), of Pleasantville, New York,
- TIMOTHY ORR (D.O.B. 7/15/91) of Briarcliff Manor, New York,
- ARTHUR PIDORIANO (D.O.B. 8/24/91) of Courtland Manor, New York,
- CHRISTIAN ROCKEFELLER (D.O.B. 1/3/91) of Pleasantville, New York,
- DAVID ROGERS (D.O.B. 9/5/90) of Providence, Rhode Island, and
- MATTHEW TOLKOWSKY (D.O.B. 3/28/91) of Morristown, New Jersey
All six defendants were released on their own recognizance with the conditions that they refrain from alcohol and drug use, submit to random screens, stay away from the victims of this case, and stay away from the location where the incident occurred.
According to prosecutors, the six men forced their way into a Gerald Road apartment at approximately 11:30 p.m. on March 16. Once inside, the group punched holes in the walls, urinated throughout the apartment, and threw eggs, milk, and other food, prosecutors said. Two tables and two speakers were also damaged.
After vandalizing the first floor apartment, prosecutors said, the men turned their attention to the clothes dryer in the basement. A gas line was ripped from the machine, which was situated near a furnace. Prosecutors said the group fled the scene, failing to provide any warning to the resident who continued to sleep as the building filled with gas. Damage to the property was estimated at $25,000.
A call placed to National Grid prompted an emergency response from the company, Boston Police, and Boston Fire Department. That call was traced to a phone belonging to Pidoriano, prosecutors said.
During a recorded interview with Boston Police in the presence of his attorney, Pidoriano made post-Miranda statements admitting that the defendants were responsible for the vandalism, prosecutors said. Based on those statements and additional evidence developed by detectives, Boston Police sought and obtained complaints charging all six defendants.
Rockefeller is represented by Conrad Bletzer, Howe by Phil Tracey, Pidariano by Frank Santisi, Orr by John Coffey, Rogers by William Concannon, and Tolkowsky of Robert Goodale. All of the defendants will return to court on May 16.
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
