Police: Man with gun goes berserk in Mattapan Square after getting beaten with baton at check-cashing place he was trying to rob

Boston Police report what began as a hold-up attempt at Check Cashers, 1589 Blue Hill Ave. shortly before 7 a.m. ended with the failed robber firing shots at passersby after he had more luck beating and robbing somebody in the Farmers Market parking lot around the corner.

Police say Maurice Chase, 50, of Mattapan, waved a gun at a Check Cashers employee when she arrived to open the store. As she delayed for time - she told him she didn't have the key to the door - a store security guard showed up.

The security officer backed away and the suspect stated to the employee, "Now I'm going to have to kill you."

The employee stated to officers she pulled out a baton from her pocket and struck the suspect in the right wrist area of where he was holding the gun. The employee stated to officers that she repeatedly struck the suspect until he ran off in the direction of Fairway Street.

Police say Chase ran into the Farmers Market parking lot and began beating a man getting of his car with the gun.

Witnesses nearby came to the aid of the victim and the suspect struck one of the witnesses in the head with his firearm.

The fleeing suspect fired two shots at the witnesses and ran towards Cummins Highway and River Street. Officers observed the suspect with the firearm in his right hand, crossing the street at River Street. Officers ordered the suspect to drop the firearm. He was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.

Chase was charged with armed robbery, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, discharging a gun within 500 feet of a dwelling and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Innocent, etc.