NORTHAMPTON — A man accused of trying to disable a young woman’s car in Southampton more than six months ago faces new charges after a string of similar incidents were reported in central and eastern Massachusetts in recent weeks.
Alexander Yee, 37, of Winchendon, was out on $10,000 bail and wearing a court-ordered GPS monitor when, according to a Facebook post from Milford police, he started “targeting young females by flattening their tires, filling their gas tanks with water then offering to drive them home.” The post did not name the suspect, though Milford Police Deputy Chief John Sanchioni confirmed Tuesday that it was Yee.
“We’re actually going to pick him up right now,” Sanchioni said, explaining that police in Winchendon had arrested him on a warrant and he would be transferred to Milford.
A statement from Milford police alleges that “on the afternoon of May 21, 2022 Yee flattened a tire on (a) female’s vehicle and had also poured a liquid substance into the victim’s gas tank which caused an estimated $1,600.00 in damage.”
Yee was scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in Milford District Court on a felony charge of malicious destruction of property valued over $1,200.
Similar incidents were reported in Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston and Medway, according to the towns’ respective police departments. In Facebook posts last week, the departments described the incidents as taking place in recent days or over the prior week.
It was not immediately clear if more charges would be filed.
Yee’s ankle-worn GPS monitor provided evidence about his location during the time of the incident in Milford, Sanchioni said.
“That was kind of helpful. Put it that way,” he said.
On Nov. 16, 2021, Yee was charged in Northampton District Court with malicious damage to a motor vehicle and breaking and entering into a motor vehicle in the daytime with intent to commit a felony.
Yee had been accused of pouring half a bottle of water into a young woman’s gas tank in the parking lot outside the Southampton Big Y supermarket. A witness interrupted Yee, who left the scene after claiming that he was pouring dry gas to help a friend. The woman was not harmed and her vehicle started, although police said the engine was running “rough.”
Yee was arrested at his home and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Southampton police said in court records that they had “received information about similar acts” that Yee allegedly committed in Franklin and Worcester counties, as well as elsewhere in Hampshire County and in southern New Hampshire.
According to Southampton police, Yee admitted that he had a “car cranking fetish” but claimed it was not a sexual fetish. “Car cranking” can refer to the sound of a damaged vehicle engine struggling to turn over, but does not appear to involve flattening tires.
“As in all situations, be aware that individuals offering help may have in fact been involved in orchestrating the situation,” Holliston police advised last week. “If your car becomes disabled, wait in a safe place for a friend, family member, or AAA to respond. If you feel your vehicle has been tampered with, call your local police department.”
Bellingham police said the suspect tampered with a vehicle in a shopping center parking lot and then approached the female owner to offer help.
“As a precaution please try to park in well lit areas and avoid walking to your vehicle alone whenever possible,” police advised.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.