BOSTON, Nov. 7, 2012—A Georgetown man accused of violating a restraining order was arraigned as a repeat drunk driver this week after State Police assisting in the Essex County case tracked the defendant to Boston, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

RICHARD FORD (D.O.B. 9/7/56) was arraigned Monday in the Boston Municipal Court on a count of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol as a fourth offense. He was additionally charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property, operating with a suspended license, and resisting arrest.

Assistant District Attorney Katherine Lubitz recommended that Ford be held on $10,000 cash bail. Judge Mark Hart Summerville imposed $8,000 bail. Summerville also dismissed an additional charge of violating a restraining order on the grounds that Ford committed that offense outside the jurisdiction of the Boston Municipal Court Department.

Massachusetts State Police K9 units responded to the scene of a Georgetown break-in after local police requested their assistance in locating the defendant. Ford had previously lived at that location and was believed to be the suspect. In the aftermath of that incident, Ford allegedly called the resident at that location despite a restraining order barring him from any contact with her.

Dogs were unable to locate Ford, but additional investigation by State Police led them to Boston, where troopers from the Leverett Circle Barracks began searching for him. Sometime after 1:00 a.m., a trooper spotted a Toyota Avalon in a parking area near the intersection of Friend Street and Valenti Way. It was occupied by Ford, whom the trooper recognized from a photo circulated by Georgetown Police.

The trooper observed Ford to be slumped in the driver’s seat, sleeping, with a pulled low over his face. He had blood on his face and bloody napkins in his lap. The car’s keys were in the ignition. When additional troopers responded, they called in the car’s registration and learned that it had been reported stolen.

When troopers opened the unlocked driver’s side door, Ford awoke and allegedly swung at them with his right hand and left foot. He then allegedly tried to hold tightly to the steering wheel. When removed from the car and placed on the ground, he allegedly placed his right arm beneath his stomach and continued to struggle until handcuffed and placed in a sitting position.

The troopers noted that Ford smelled strongly of alcohol. They documented blood on the inside of the car and called for Boston Emergency Medical Services to evaluate his injuries. When they asked Ford how he had been injured, he allegedly stated that a woman on nearby Causeway Street has struck him repeatedly with an umbrella.

State Police notified Georgetown Police of Ford’s arrest and travelled to Massachusetts General Hospital, where Ford was taken. After being read his Miranda rights, Ford declined to speak with police or take a Breathalyzer test.

“I am too old for this [expletive],” Ford allegedly said unbidden. When asked what he meant, he allegedly continued, “All of this. The drinking. The nonsense.”

Ford allegedly went on to speak of the woman he’d said had assaulted him with the umbrella, stating that he knew her from a long time ago and that she thought he had stolen $500 from her. When asked if that was why she’d struck him, Ford allegedly said yes – “and she was good with it, too.” Throughout this time, the trooper could smell the strong odor of alcohol coming from Ford but noted that he was speaking clearly even as he discussed being in and out of rehab.

While entering Ford’s arrest and noting his refusal to take a Breathalyzer test, troopers learned that Ford’s driver’s license had been revoked following his third OUI conviction in Haverhill four years ago. Ford was convicted of the same offense in Newburyport in 1997 and 1994.

After his arraignment in Boston Monday, Ford was held without bail on a warrant to be transported to Haverhill to answer on the breaking and entering case. He was represented in Boston by attorney Daniel Toscano and will return to court on Nov. 29.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.