Three cops stabbed in Saugus
Suspect sent for psychiatric eval
An investigation into a stolen U-Haul truck turned bloody Thursday morning when a “combative” suspect stabbed three police officers attempting to gain entry into his Saugus home.
All three cops are recovering from non-life-threatening knife wounds at Massachusetts General Hospital, but Saugus Assistant Police Chief Ronald Giorgetti said the violent morning shocked the force.
“They’re just beginning to comprehend what occurred,” an emotional Giorgetti told the press Thursday.
Saugus Police responded to a report of a rental truck reported stolen by 43-yearold Saugus resident Steven Sossong, who had an outstanding warrant for driving with an expired vehicle registration. According to police, four officers visited Sossong’s house on Tuttle Street around 7:45 a.m. They found the U-Haul truck out front, and after being accosted by Sossong through a window, they called the fire department for backup.
With Saugus Fire on scene, police tried to enter through Sossong’s front door, but he blocked them from inside, police said. One cop made his way inside and tried to bring the suspect to the floor and police said that’s when Sossong reportedly stabbed the officer in the upper arm with a 6-inch fixed blade.
Two more officers entered the house and tried to disarm the suspect. He reportedly stabbed both in their arms before police said Fire Lt. Greg Cinelli wrestled the knife from Sossong’s hand.
Backup police responded to the scene and reportedly found the interior of the house “covered in blood.” With two sets of handcuffs on his wrists, Sossong continued to resist arrest, police reported.
Sossong was transported to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital before being arraigned for eight felony charges — including attempted murder — in Lynn District Court. A clinical psychologist found him to be incompetent to understand or answer to his charges, and he was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for further evaluation.
His neighbor, JoAnn Canole, said she had worried about his mental wellbeing for years. She described him as a man who lived alone and let the state of his house deteriorate.
“Things just weren’t right,” she told the Herald.
Sossong will be detained in Bridgewater for at least 20 days, and faces additional charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and motor vehicle larceny. He is scheduled to return to court Aug. 25.
Giorgetti said the department was visibly shaken by the stabbing hours after Sossong’s arrest.
“Something like this happens, it kind of strikes home,” he said, adding he felt the attack was personal.