Somerville Police Find Suspect Sleeping in Stolen Car

A Cambridge man who may be connected to a handful of car break-ins in Watertown, was captured in Somerville on Monday, April 20, according to police.

Due to circumstances surrounding the arrest of Terrance Morrison, 21, of Cambridge, he’s been charged with stealing a car, resisting arrest, plus two counts of assault and battery on a police officer.

Police say at around 9:20 a.m., they began tracking a radio signal sent out via the security system of a Honda Pilot that had been reported stolen from Watertown. About 20 minutes later, they spotted the vehicle nearby 14 Bolton St.

From a distance, the car appeared empty. But upon closer inspection, police say they realized Morrison was sleeping in its backseat.

Morrison awoke, and appeared startled and panicky once it became apparent to him that police had surrounded the car.

After getting out of the Pilot - seemingly in compliance with police requests - Morrison shoved one of the officers, tried to run away, and pulled out of his shirt in a brief, ensuing struggle, according to the police report.

A second officer managed to pin Morrison to the ground before he could get away, and police say Morrison struck officers with his elbows and feet through their efforts to subdue him. Police say an officer “utilized” his baton to control Morrison’s legs, and administered a blast of pepper spray to the suspect’s face.

Following his arrest, Morrison repeatedly apologized to officers for his behavior, and admitted that none of the objects in the car belonged to him. These objects included an iPod, and a rosary bead necklace that had been reported stolen from a Watertown car, but broke during the scuffle.