Hingham Police Officer Arraigned After Stoneham Altercation

STONEHAM, MA – A Hingham police officer was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon after being accused of pulling a gun during a verbal altercation with a Stoneham man in December, The Middlesex District Attorney's Office said in a news release Monday.

Joel Salituri, 43, is accused of following a Stoneham man off Route 93 until he pulled over into a parking lot on Main Street Dec. 26, officials said. Salituri is then accused of pulling alongside the victim, yelling at him, and making racial slurs while brandishing the gun and saying he is a police officer, though he was not on duty at the time, according to officials.

The victim reported the incident to police and a criminal complaint for the charge of assault with a dangerous weapon was issued after probable cause was found at a hearing, authorities said.

At the arraignment, Salituri was released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from and have not contact with the victim, officials said. He was also placed on administrative leave by the Hingham Police Department.

Additional charges are possible and the next date in the case is May 24, officials said.