Worcester DA fights off would-be mugger

WORCESTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- Police said a man tried to take Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early’s wallet, but the D.A. fought back.

“I just felt a hand come over and grab it. When he grabbed it, I guess I was expecting it a little bit. I grabbed back with both hands, dropped my shoulder and I pushed him into a wall,” said Early.

The incident happened at the Ciao Bella restaurant on Grove Street around 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Prosecutors said as Early pulled out money from his pocket to pay for pizza, the suspect, 27-year-old Jason Beaudreau of Worcester, grabbed the money and tried to leave, but the D.A. stopped him.

An off-duty court officer was also in line and jumped into action with Early and dragged the suspect outside and held him down until police arrived.

“Mr. Early pulled his wallet out and he tried to do a snatch and grab, but Mr. Early was able to get his hand and when I saw them they were wrestling at the door,” said the court officer, Joe Hanrahan.

The duo forced Beaudreau out to the parking lot and then pinned him to the ground. It's then they realized their connection.

“I had him down and then I realized it was Joe. And I said, ‘Hi Joe, I'm Joe. I know who you are Joe. I’m the court officer in Worcester,’ and he saw me and I believed he recognized me at that time,” said Hanrahan.

Early said he doesn't know why Beaudreau would have picked such a busy spot, but he's glad so many stepped up to help.

“All of the people came right to my aid. You don't expect it. You’re going to grab a pizza for dinner. It’s a safe restaurant, it’s a good restaurant, I’ll go back there again,” said Early.

Beaudreau was in court Monday answering to a long list of charges including assault and battery and unarmed robbery.

Early has a sore shoulder, but beyond that he has no serious injuries.

Beaudreau is held on $2,000 bail.