Alleged Verizon Tech Kidnapper Now Faces Dec. 12 Court Date

The Westborough man who allegedly locked a Verizon technician in an underground vault last month will return to Westborough District Court on Dec. 12.

Howard W. Cook's latest court date was Wednesday.

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

Cook allegedly locked a Verizon technician in an underground vault on Aug. 5 "because he was upset that the technician had parked on his grass," Police Chief Alan Gordon has said.

The Verizon technician called police around 3:27 p.m. that day to report he was locked in the vault, in the grass at Research Drive at Connector Road, next to Westboro Self Storage, Gordon said.