November 12, 2009

By Rick Winterson

The following is a summary of events surrounding four recent muggings that resulted in purse snatchings.  The summary was assembled from police reports describing these crimes and telephone communications with Station C-6 Community Services.

Three weeks ago (Thursday, October 22, at 7:41 p.m. EDT – twilight), a woman waiting for a bus at P and Fourth Streets was knocked to the ground and had her purse stolen.  She lost an iPod. 

Two days later (Saturday, October 24, at 10:30 p.m. EDT – well after dark), a woman was similarly knocked down and had her purse stolen after she had gotten out of a taxi cab near O and Seventh Streets.  The next day (Sunday, the 25th), the victim’s credit card, which had been in the stolen purse, was used at the Mt. Washington Bank’s 470 West Broadway ATM.  A picture of the user was taken (see the ATM photo below).

Eleven days after the second robbery (Wednesday, November 4, at 10:09 – well after dark), a third knockdown/purse snatching took place at K and Eighth Streets.  In this case, the victim saw the robber get into a black car and flee down I Street.

The suspect in these first three cases was described similarly by all three victims – a white male, about six feet tall, brown hair, around 20 years old.  The car he took off in may indicate he had someone aiding him in the robbery.  The picture taken of him at the ATM when he used the credit card confirms the description given in all three cases.

Just the next day (Thursday, November 5, at 7:52 p.m. EST – after dark since daylight saving had ended), a robber punched a woman going to her car at Lennon Court and Columbia Road and made off with her purse.  In this mugging, the fourth in two weeks, the robber’s description was quite different – 5’ 6”, blond hair, thinly built, around 25 years old.  That same night, a woman used a credit card that had been in the stolen purse (see her photograph below).

If you think you recognize either photograph, contact Station C-6.  If you wish to remain anonymous, you can either call CrimeStoppers at 1(800)494-TIPS or text a “TIP” to CRIME927463).  The Boston Police Department will strictly protect the identity of anyone who wishes to remain anonymous.

No incidents of this type can be tolerated in South Boston.  Fortunately, it appears from reading the BPD reports that just two or three arrests can put a stop to this series of robberies. 

According to a telephone call made to Community Services on Monday, a large number of leads have already been referred to the Detective Unit at Station C-6.  The Station’s detectives are all out knocking on doors.  “The community cooperation has been great”, was one of the statements from the station, since so many pieces of information have been turned in to the police.

As you are reading this, the Station C-6 detectives are seeking warrants.  After the warrants are processed, the suspects will be apprehended as soon as they have been located.  If you have any information about the two people pictured below, please contact the police as soon as possible.