BOSTON — A Worcester man arrested at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo, after prosecutors say he tried to enter a tiger pen, has been ordered to stay away from that zoo.
Matthew Abraham faced a judge in Boston on Tuesday. Abraham is charged with breaking and entering, trespass, and disorderly conduct for an incident on Monday.
Investigators say Abraham tried to gain access to the tiger enclosure after scaling a fence at the zoo before it opened.
In court on Tuesday, the prosecutor raised questions about Abraham’s mental health and pointed to interviews Abraham had done on Monday with local media, including Boston 25.
[ Man arrested after breaking into Franklin Park Zoo, attempting to gain access to tiger enclosure ]
Abraham’s defense attorney told the judge that Abraham’s mental health was on his radar and that he intended to seek a private evaluation of Abraham.
According to the police report, Abraham was encountered by a member of the zoo staff who was ignored by Abraham when he was questioned about being on zoo property before the opening.
“According to the zoo manager, Abraham disregarded all of the signage that is posted to the public advising to keep out of the restricted area inside of the fence leading towards the tiger enclosure,” according to the police report. “Abraham then proceeded to scale two of the outer fences inside of the restricted area in an attempt to gain entry inside of the fence where the tigers were located. Before Abraham was able to reach the fence that separates the tigers from the zoo staff, Abraham encountered another staff member which appeared to startle Abraham, and at that point, he retreated back.”
When a trooper asked Abraham why he attempted to gain access to the tiger enclosure he stated “I am just really curious about tigers,” according to the police report.
Abraham is due back in court on April 13 for a pre-trial hearing.
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Matthew Abraham of Worcester was ordered to stay away from Franklin Park Zoo in Boston after Tuesday’s arraignment
He was also served with a no-trespass order from the zoo during Tuesday’s hearing.
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