Hey, there! Log in / Register

Kick-ass bystanders once again chase robbery suspects; this time, they catch one

For the second time in ten days, bystanders didn't just watch a woman get mugged - they chased after her attackers.

Boston Police report officers on patrol spotted a man being chased across the Common around 7:40 p.m. yesterday. Their professional curiosity aroused, they then watched as a male pursuer tackled the fleeing man. Based on interviews, police say:

One of the male suspects robbed the victim of her cell phone. While the victim was distracted, a second suspect came from behind the victim and stole her laptop from under her backpack. During a brief struggle, one of the male suspects pulled a knife from his pocket, threatened the victims, and then fled on foot. Officers observed a folding knife, a lighter, and a watch under the male suspect while he was being apprehended.

Police say that, as in a mugging near the Pru last week, at least two bystanders jumped in to help go after the attackers.

The guy they stopped is a 17-year-old from Dorchester, who now faces charges of armed robbery and assault by means of a dangerous weapon, police say. The second mugger, however, managed to escape.

Neighborhoods: 
Topics: 
Free tagging: 


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Comments

And this is one of those times I think it with a smile on my face. :)

up
Voting closed 0

he's an A student at one of Bostons esteemed public institutes...

up
Voting closed 0

What would that have to do with anything? Right. Any opportunity to smear public school.

up
Voting closed 0

Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah

up
Voting closed 0

He will be back on streets in a matter of days. Wont go to jail..

up
Voting closed 0

I'm hoping that what isn't in the report is that this little shit got a beatdown and a half from the guys that tackled him.

At least that's what happened when I and three others intervened in a similar case in front of Arbuckles in Allston about 16 years ago. When the cops showed up, they chuckled and said "thanks guys, we'll take it from here". I still remember the sound the little f##%er made when he landed in the paddy wagon.

I would have never thought that I would have intervened like that, but when you see a 17 year old punk punch a girl in the face and then kick her while pulling off her purse, primal instinct can get the better of you. I'm not a big vigilante justice guy, but sometimes its more effective for citizens to do what the police cannot. I still think of the irony of that kid, who thought he was so tough and could just do that on the street in front of 20 people, screaming like a little girl when he was caught.

And don't worry about the jail thing. My guess is that they remember the beatdowns more than the time the spend in a cell anyway.

up
Voting closed 0

Glad they got at least one of them. Not to victim-blame, but, I have to say: several times each day, I see people dangling their smartphones about with obviously no regard for how easily they could be swiped. Usually college-aged or 20-something girls.

up
Voting closed 0

What does that have to do with guys pulling a knife on somebody and grabbing something from her backpack? She was attacked because she was there and her assailants didn't think she would give them much trouble.

Most people have smartphones these days, BTW. They don't need to be out to make somebody a robbery target.

up
Voting closed 0

Most people have smartphones, but some don't realize just how easy it is to snatch it out of their hands or pockets if their mind is elsewhere. Today I was behind two college chicks in a line at Starbucks and they both had their iPhones poking out of their back-pants pockets. I could easily have snagged both and made a run for it.

If a thug is out looking to swipe something from someone to make a buck, they're gonna go for the smartphone--small but valuable, and more often exposed than something like an iPad or a laptop. And if said thug sees some college chick casually sauntering around with her phone hanging out of her hand, there's an easy attempt.

up
Voting closed 0

Don't victim blame!!! You must be new around here. We ride bikes, tell people we disagree with to go back to the Herald comment section, hate cops, live in Roxbury, have advanced degrees in almost everything and personal experiences in everything else, love pillow fights and taking pictures of public buildings. And no matter how irresponsible or foolish a person may act, we never blame the victim.

up
Voting closed 0

Yes, we have the right to carry our smart & iPhones, laptops in the open. We also have the right to walk around with $500 in our hands waving it around in the Common. We have the right to keep our windows open and keys in our cars. . Stupid is as stupid does

up
Voting closed 0