Faced with certain arrest for outstanding warrants or the possibility of death by subway train or electrocution, a Lynn woman allegedly chose the latter yesterday at the Ashmont MBTA station, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

OPHELIA WHEAT (D.O.B. 10/11/72) was arraigned yesterday in Dorchester District Court on charges of trespassing, resisting arrest, and obstructing a railroad for her alleged flight from MBTA Transit Police on Monday morning. Assistant District Attorney Christine Mandell recommended that she be held on $1,000 cash bail; Judge Michael Coyne released her on her own recognizance.

Transit Police approached Wheat at about 9:45 after watching her allegedly travel through a fare gate in the wake of a paying passenger. Wheat allegedly told the officer that she had paid but the machine had stolen her money. The officer offered to check its history and confirm the story, but she allegedly refused and proceeded downstairs to the platform.

The officer again approached Wheat and asked for her identification. Wheat said she had none and then allegedly gave a series of false names and birth dates. When additional officers responded to the scene, Wheat finally produced a stack of ID cards that revealed her identity. Officers called in her information and learned that she was wanted for allegedly violating the terms of her probation on a Worcester Superior Court case.

The officers then notified Wheat that she would be taken into custody on the warrant. At that time, she allegedly began sprinting down the northbound platform. Despite the officers’ commands for her to stop, Wheat allegedly jumped down off the platform and into the subway tunnel.

Wheat allegedly continued running until one of the officers outpaced her and discharged his department-issued chemical spray at her. Wheat then discontinued her flight and allowed herself to be handcuffed.
Wheat was represented by attorney Charles Pappas. She will return to court on Aug. 25.