BOSTON, March 9, 2015—The sharp eyes of two Boston Police officers led to the arrest of an East Boston man who was behind the wheel of a car that was stolen this weekend while a young child was still inside, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

RONALD SMOOT (D.O.B. 4/30/65) was arraigned today in East Boston Municipal Court on charges of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, operating to endanger, failure to stop for a police officer, and speeding. Assistant District Attorney Janine D’Amico recommended that he be held on $35,000 cash bail. Judge John E. McDonald set $25,000 bail and ordered Smoot to undergo a competency evaluation.

A 2011 Acura RDX with a 3-year-old boy was reported stolen in East Boston yesterday morning. Though the child was later recovered with no physical injuries, Boston Police in the area were on the lookout for the vehicle.

At about 6:30 yesterday evening, Boston Police assigned to District A-7 spotted the car on Marion Street and arranged to block the roadway at Trenton Street. When the Acura approached, officers walked toward it and from past interactions immediately recognized the driver as Smoot.

The officers ordered Smoot to stop the car. Instead, he allegedly reversed the Acura and narrowly missed striking two officers before speeding away.

Based on their observations, Boston Police obtained complaints charging Smoot with his dangerous driving while the investigation into the theft of the Acura continued. Earlier today, they arrested Smoot on these charges and warrants for defaulting in an East Boston Municipal Court case charging receiving stolen property as a second or subsequent offense. The open case stems from an incident October; it is charged as a second offense in light of a 2006 conviction in the Boston Municipal Court.

Smoot was represented by attorney Brendan King. He will return to court on March 30.

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