Boston police cruiser catches fire after attack by crowd of 100; 2 arrested, police say

Two men were charged in connection with an attack on Boston police cruisers Sunday morning, according to the Boston Police Department.

Boston police responded to a report of a vehicle takeover on the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street on Sunday at around 2:12 a.m.

Police found a crowd of about 100 people who began throwing fireworks, cones, poles and other objects at police cruisers. A cruiser caught fire and several members of the crowd jumped on its hood, according to the release.

Boston police sent more units to the scene and were able to disperse the crowd using department-issued equipment.

The Boston Fire Department responded to extinguish the lit cruiser, which was eventually destroyed.

Julian Bowers, 18, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and William Cantwell, 19, of Warwick, Rhode Island, were both arrested during the incident and charged with malicious destruction of property over $1,200, disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Cantwell was also charged with possession of Class D, marijuana, after police searched his bag and found two packages of marijuana edibles, according to the release.

Both men are expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact District D-4 Detectives at (617) 343-4683.