Waltham Newswatch, August 16, 2012
After his arrest in Cambridge on Wednesday night, Scott Steverding, 30, was arraigned Thursday in Waltham District Court.
Described as a heroin addict by his attorney, the homeless man faces charges of attempted murder, armed carjacking and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with a chilling incident shortly before noon on Tuesday in Waltham.
According to a police report, Steverding approached a 17-year-old female in the parking lot of the Harvard Street CVS “with a syringe full of blood.” After threatening to stab her with what he described as an HIV infected needle, he allegedly stole her 1999 Jeep Cherokee, nearly hitting her as he fled.
The police report said Steverding made off with her cell phone, purse and wallet, containing $200.
Police used CVS surveillance video to help identify Steverding.
Steverding also faces an unarmed robbery charge for stealing multiple packs of cigarettes on Monday from a gas station on the corner of Crescent and Maple Streets. In court documents, his address is listed as 89 Adams Street nearby.
The store clerk picked Steverding out of a photo lineup, describing him as a regular customer. “He comes with his father,” the clerk said in a police report, “and they’re always drunk.”
Court records show that Steverding has a long list of criminal convictions, including larceny and heroin possession.
Judge Gregory Flynn ordered him held without bail.
Steverding’s attorney, Robert Mendon, would not confirm or deny whether his client was HIV positive.
Steverding will appear next in Waltham District Court on Monday, August 20 for a dangerousness hearing.
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