Medford man arrested, allegedly hit tow lot workers with impounded car

A Medford teen is facing assault charges for allegedly hitting two Charlestown tow lot employees with his impounded car, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Diogo Silva, 19, of Medford, was arrested Nov. 13 for driving with a suspended license, State Police said in a statement. After Silva’s arrest, his car was towed and brought to Cityside Towing in Charlestown.

When Silva was released hours later, he went to the tow yard in an attempt to get his car back, and what allegedly happened next led to him being arrested for the second time that day.

“When the tow company refused to release the car, the suspect attempted to drive the vehicle off the lot,” State Trooper Leah O’Connell told Boston.com in a statement. “The operator struck and injured two employees in their 50s before fleeing the scene.”

State troopers tracked Silva down and arrested him again, and Medford police found his unoccupied car, according to State Police. He was charged with one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of leaving the scene of a personal injury, one count of improperly removing a motor vehicle, one count of driving with a suspended license, and one count of trespassing, court records show.

Silva was arraigned the next day in the Charlestown division of Boston Municipal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on $5,000 bail and ordered to stay away from the tow lot and the alleged victims, according to court records.

The charges against Silva from earlier in the day were filed in Somerville District Court but later dismissed for unknown reasons, records show. These charges included operating with a suspended license, a breakdown violation, and registration not in possession.

Silva is due back in court for a hearing Dec. 12, court records show. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday morning.