Joel McDonald, 20, of Chelsea was arrested in a Dorchester apartment by the U.S. Marshal Service and Boston Police on Monday morning, acting on a credible tip received by Chelsea Police Detectives. McDonald had been wanted on an attempted murder warrant and had previously escaped Chelsea Police custody on April 22 while being transported to Chelsea District Court. The fugitive had evaded a Chelsea Officer during that transport. He was originally apprehended in Rhode Island in connection with a January 21, 2010 shooting in Chelsea, where he faces multiple charges including Assault with Intent to Murder, but managed to escape police custody at that time. Upon his escape, Chelsea Police immediately issued an A.P.B. and sought assistance from residents in Chelsea and Boston to locate him.
Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes commended the coordinated efforts of local, state and federal authorities in the recapture. “The US Marshal Service Fugitive Unit’s persistence left no doubt that his arrest was only a matter of time,” said Kyes. McDonald was arraigned Tuesday in Chelsea District Court on both the fugitive charges and the attempted murder charges stemming from the January 2010 incident.
The Chelsea Police Departments encourages residents with information to contact authorities anonymously through the 24 hr Crime Stoppers TIP line at 617-466-4880, or by texting the word Chelsea followed by their message to tip411 (847411) from a cell phone. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Police Departments website at www.chelseapolice.com.
