An MBTA officer was arrested on multiple charges


By Doug Ireland

SALEM — Less than two days after an MBTA sergeant allegedly struck several cars and a bank after assaulting a woman in Salem, he was arrested Monday on additional charges in Methuen.
David Jaime, 29, of Methuen, was apprehended by police yesterday after a brief pursuit on Berkeley Street in Methuen about 7 a.m., according to Lt. Greg Gallant.
He was charged with violating a restraining order and failure to stop for a police officer, Gallant said.
Methuen police received a call that Jaime ignored a restraining order put in place after he allegedly assaulted a woman Saturday, Gallant said.
Police pursued Jaime in his vehicle for about three blocks before he finally pulled over, Gallant said. Jaime was then taken to Lawrence District Court to be arraigned, he said.
The arrest in Methuen followed Jaime’s arrest in Salem on multiple charges Saturday night, Salem police Lt. Robert Morin said.
He was free on $1,500 personal recognizance when he was charged with violating the restraining order, police said.
Jaime, an MBTA officer since his graduation from the police academy in 2008, was placed on paid administrative leave, MBTA spokeswoman Kelly Smith said. He earned $89,479 last year, she said.
“We were notified of his arrest and he is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” Smith said.
Salem police responded to 16 Meadow Lane at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday after receiving a call about an unwanted man at a party, Morin said.
The caller told police the man was drunk and threatening to hit people at the party. Police also received multiple calls from people who said the man, later identified as Jaime, may have passed out in the street, according to a police report.
When Salem officers arrived at the home, they learned Jaime had left in a black sport utility vehicle and struck several parked cars. Witnesses also said he assaulted a woman at the party.