The 65-year-old Groveland man who followed a fellow resident Monday will be summonsed into Haverhill District Court to face charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen, who did not identify the man by name, revealed the course of action Thursday after police interviewed the man. The chief said an investigation led by Detective Steven Petrone “determined that the man had disturbed neighbors during the incident, and another motorist reported having to drive off the roadway to avoid him while he was allegedly engaged in a verbal altercation with the woman he followed.”
Julia Santos, the woman who says she was harassed, confronted the man and took video. The recording captures the man saying, “I don’t feel safe with you driving around my neighborhood.” Santos responded, “I’m Black. Is that why you’re following me?” She said the man followed her while she was out picking up a bag of dog food offered by another neighbor.
Earlier this week, Gillen said, “I am deeply disturbed by this situation. The fact that a resident of our town could face accusation and be followed around like a criminal should make everyone stop in their tracks and consider how we treat one another.”
Police said the woman responded to an ad on a Groveland community Facebook page where a resident was giving away excess dog food. She drove to the house, about a mile from her home, and picked up the free dog food. “As she turned to head back home, she reported to police that the Groveland man in a vehicle turned around multiple times in an obvious effort to follow her.”