NH man accused of threatening commuter rail conductor twice

HAVERHILL, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A 28-year-old New Hampshire man has been arrested amid allegations that he threatened the conductor of an MBTA commuter train on two separate occasions.

Eric Foster, of Plaistow, is expected to be arraigned in Haverhill District Court Wednesday on a charge of assault by means of a dangerous weapon.

Investigators allege Foster threatened a conductor with a knife just before 10 p.m. on Aug. 9 after the conductor tried to wake him up at the Haverhill Commuter Rail station.

The conductor told police he asked a man, allegedly Foster, to exit the train because Haverhill was the last stop of the line and all passengers must get off the train. He claims Foster rose to his feet, pulled out a folding knife, and began waving the knife at the conductor. The conductor claims Foster challenged him to a fight, at which time he called police and Foster fled. Police did not find Foster after this first incident.

During a second incident that happened at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, investigators say Foster attempted to board a train bound for Haverhill at North Station. They say the same conductor refused to let Foster on board and called Transit Police. They accuse Foster of threatening the conductor for a second time before fleeing. Transit Police officers were able to find him a short time later at the 7-11 on Causeway Street.

Cox Media Group