After Roughly Six Months in Default, Billerica Man Arraigned for Assault with Hypodermic Needle
BOSTON, June 7, 2022—A Billerica man who allegedly threatened a store clerk with a needle in December appeared in a Suffolk County courtroom to face arraignment last week, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
On Thursday, PAUL GIOIOSA, 44, was arraigned in Chelsea District Court on two dockets from separate incidents in Revere in 2021. In a December incident, Gioiosa is charged with assault with a needle, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and threatening to commit a crime for allegedly menacing a store clerk with a hypodermic needle. In an earlier offense, he is charged with assault and battery for an attack on an MBTA employee at Wonderland Station.
Chelsea District Court Judge Richard Mori imposed a total of $1,500 bail and ordered him to stay away from the location of the December offenses, stay away from and have no contact with the victims of either case and to comply with a substance use disorder evaluation and any recommended treatment as ordered in a previous case. Mori additionally revoked Gioiosa’s bail in a pending criminal case.
On December 20, 2021, at approximately 8:10 p.m., Revere Police responded to a call a reporting that a man, later identified as Gioiosa, threatened a convenience store clerk with a hypodermic needle. Gioiosa became angry when informed that he could not use an outlet in the store to charge his phone. He took out a needle, uncapped it, and threatened that he would stab the clerk with the needle, which he allegedly described as “dirty.” The incident was captured on a security camera.
Gioiosa was located a short distance away at Wonderland MBTA station, wearing the same clothing as that worn by the assailant. He attempted to evade police by fleeing on a bicycle, leading to a pursuit in which he crossed in and out of oncoming traffic. After a collision with a Mini Cooper caused the bike’s rear wheel to bend, Gioiosa climbed back on the bike and attempted to continue his flight. He was ultimately arrested and transported for medical attention. A hypodermic needle was found in his possession. He released on bail with orders to appear in court for arraignment, but did not do so.
In his earlier case, Gioiosa is accused of assaulting an MBTA employee who ordered him to exit a Blue Line train at Wonderland Station – the final stop on the train line. Gioiosa began to yell at the employee, and the employee turned his back and began to walk away. Rather than allow the interaction to end, Gioiosa followed the victim and punched him in the head. He continued to follow the victim until police were summoned. Gioiosa left the station prior to the arrival of police but was located nearby.
When officers arrived, the victim told them that a man, later identified as Gioiosa, had entered and asked to use an outlet to charge his cell phone. When the victim refused him, Gioiosa became angry, taking the needle and uncapping it before threatening to stab him. He then left in the direction of the Wonderland MBTA station. A witness in the store and security footage both confirmed the victim's account.
Gioiosa returns to court on July 1 for a pretrial hearing in connection with both cases.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal legal system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.