A 73-Year-Old Mass. Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping A Verizon Worker

Howard Cook Jr., of Westborough, was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to complete an anger management program

A Massachusetts man who authorities say locked a Verizon worker inside an unventilated underground vault because he was upset the worker parked on his grass has pleaded guilty to kidnapping.

Howard Cook Jr., of Westborough, entered the plea Tuesday in Worcester Superior Court.

The 73-year-old Cook was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to complete an anger management program.

Authorities say the retired utility official locked Michael Hathaway, of Worcester, in the vault on Aug. 5, 2013 by pulling the extension ladder out of the vault, locking the hatch and placing large rocks on top. The ventilation system automatically shuts off when the door is closed.

Police say Cook was upset that Hathaway parked on the grass at his business.

Hathaway used his cellphone to call police.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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