Well, the Needham Police have one less worry this morning–it looks like the United Nations Council for Human Rights won’t be investigating the arrest of Pizza Man (identified in today’s Herald and Globe as Hillel C. Neuer, 37, a prominent critic of that organization). The Herald adds to the list of facts that caused the jumpy employees of Stone Hearth Pizza to call in the SWAT Team: Neuer was “acting in distress, carrying several large bags and saying he wanted a taxi to Newton.” Let’s just hope none of these hypervigilantes ends up getting a job at the Chestnut Hill Mall or the Atrium: the police would have to establish a permanent command post there.
Did the police overreact? One can’t be too harsh on them, given the homicide in town earlier that day, and the 911 call reporting (incorrectly) that Neuer had a gun. If common sense prevails, the Norfolk DAs office and the Needham Police will choose not to press charges on Monday morning, and Mr. Neuer will go on his way. But that may be too much to ask. Watch to see whether the Needham PD press to get a release from Neuer–a move that would l only prolong this unfortunate drama.
Boston Criminal 