Alleged Verizon Tech Kidnapper Arraigned in Westborough District Court

The man charged with kidnapping a Verizon worker and locking him in a vault has been released on personal recognizance. He has been ordered to stay away from the victim.

Howard Cook, 71, of 12 Chestnut St., was charged with kidnapping, breaking and entering into a motor vehicle during the daytime, receiving stolen property and larceny under $250.

Judge Robert B. Calagione released Cook on personal recognizance after Assistant District Attorney Julieanne Richard asked him to set bail at $5000. Richard also proposed the judge have Cook monitored by a GPS to ensure he made no further contact with the victim. 

Richard explained the incident occurred when a Verizon technician called police around 3:27 p.m. on Aug. 5 to report he was locked in a vault, in the grass at Research Drive at Connector Road, next to Westboro Self Storage. The Verizon technician had parked on the lawn, angering Cook, and resulting in the 71-year-old locking the technician in the vault. Cook was allegedly yelling and swearing at the victim down in the vault before locking it shut, according to Richard. 

Richard explained the victim had no ventilation and was locked in the vault for approximately 10 minutes while he waited for police to respond. 

Cook's lawyer, James Gribouski, made note that Cook was not arrested, he was given a summons to appear in court.

"Verizon workers continued to park on the lawn of Mr. Cook's property," Gribouski said. Gribouski also said the worker unlatched the vault himself. 

"Mr. Cook has no criminal conviction, he's lived in Westborough for 47 years, and he was the vice president of the Chamber of Commerce," Gribouski said. Gribouski said the state's case "has been made on facts alone."

Judge Calagione released Cook on personal recognizance and ordered a pre-trial hearing to be set on Sept. 25. Calagione also said if Cook had any other criminal offenses, he will be held in jail for 60 days without bail.