SHREWSBURY — On Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at approximately 12:48 a.m., Officer Steven Piselli of the Shrewsbury Police Department reported observing a white 2016 Toyota Avalon traveling westbound on Boston Turnpike.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Steven Piselli and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“The vehicle was in the left-hand lane when the vehicle’s passenger tires completely crossed over the white dashed line into the right-hand lane then back into the left lane just before the intersection of North Quinsigamond Avenue without using a turn signal,” Officer Piselli said.
Officer Piselli said he activated his blue emergency lights and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but the vehicle continued, increased its speed, and fled.
“I called over the radio and initiated a pursuit. Note, at this point, snow had started to cover the ground and the roads started to become slick,” Officer Piselli said. “I clocked the vehicle traveling approximately 50 miles per hour.”
Officer Piselli reported that the vehicle ignored a red arrow traffic signal at the intersection of Boston Worcester Turnpike westbound and Lake Avenue in Worcester while turning onto Lake Avenue. He said the vehicle then turned right onto Wigwam Avenue and failed to stop at the stop sign before turning left onto Coburn Avenue at the intersection of Wigwam Avenue and Coburn Avenue.
“The vehicle then turned right onto Wigwam Avenue and did not stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Wigwam Avenue and Alvarado Avenue,” Officer Piselli said. “The vehicle then turned right onto Frank Street and subsequently pulled into the driveway of 17 Frank Street after briefly losing control on the road and narrowly missing a tree. The vehicle was operated in such a way that the lives and safety of the public might be in danger.”
Officer Piselli said he ordered the driver — later identified as 55-year-old David Defusco, of Worcester — out of the vehicle and placed him into custody.
“Mr. Defusco’s license was suspended. The registered owner of the vehicle was contacted by police and informed police Mr. Defusco did not have permíssion to use the vehicle,” Officer Piselli said. “Mr. Defusco also had an active warrant for his arrest. Mr. Defusco was placed in custody and a frisk revealed a large knife in a sheath on his belt. The knife had a cutting edge on both sides of the blade.”
David Anthony Defusco, 55, of Worcester, was arrested and charged with the following violations/offenses:
- Negligent Operation of Motor Vehicle
- Operating Motor Vehicle with License Suspended, Subsequent Offense
- Carry Dangerous Weapon
- Fail to stop for Police
- Use of Motor Vehicle without Authority
- Straight Warrant out of Worcester District Court for failure to attend jury duty
According to police, Defusco was found guilty on Nov. 29, 1999, in Gardner District Court on a charge of carrying a dangerous weapon (to wit, knife).
Defusco was arraigned in Westborough District Court on Dec. 15, 2025. Following his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty, he was released on personal recognizance. Defusco’s next court date was a pretrial hearing scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the arrest in this story took place in December, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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