16-Year-Old Nabbed in Yard

A 16-year old high school student who allegedly jumped a turnstile in the Harvard Square 'T' station was arrested yesterday afternoon in the Yard.

Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Officer John A. Cantella said he saw the youth jump a turnstile without paying the fare. Cantella ordered the teenager, a 16-year old student at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, to leave the station.

After the teenager refused, Cantella declared him under arrest. The teenager, whose name is being with held, walked out of the station, and Cantella followed him.

"If you're going to keep on walking, I'm going to keep on following you," the officer reportedly said to the youth as he continued calmly walking away into Harvard Square.

Witnesses said Cantella then took out a pair of handcuffs and a red can of peppermint mace moments before the youth crossed Massachusetts Avenue and ran into Harvard Yard.

Off-duty Cambridge Constable Dan Pacheco saw the teenager bolt into The Yard with Cantella at his heels. Pacheco began chasing the teenager, passing Cantella and subduing the youth in front of Thayer Dormitory.

"He didn't put up a fight," Pacheco said. Cantella arrived on the scene seconds later and handcuffed the teenager, leading him back to a squad car parked in Harvard Square. There the officer frisked the suspect and drove him to MBTA headquarters in South Boston.

The Youth was booked on charges of fare evasion, trespassing and disorderly conduct. He will be arraigned in Cambridge Juvenile Court this morning.