Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Jamaica Plain man arrested for attempting to rob an elderly woman

Robert Johnson
On October 27, 2014 at approximately 11:25pm Transit Police officers working in Area 1 received a radio call to respond to the MBTA's Back Bay station for a report of an assault in progress. Upon arrival officers were met the victim, a 62 year old female, and several concerned citizens. The group provided a description of the offending male and informed the officers the male fled out of the station towards Dartmouth Street. Officers immediately proceeded in that direction and observed the prepatrator, later identified as Robert Johnson, 49, of Jamaica Plain being restrained on the sidewalk (Dartmouth St.) by an unknown male.

Officers were furnished with the following sequence of events by the victim as well as a witness; the victim had disembarked from a Route 39 bus when she was approached by Johnson who was seeking  money. The victim continued on her way and Johnson followed her into the station eventually standing in front of her blocking her path. Johnson forcefully pushed the victim to the ground, struck her in the torso area and attempted to take her handbag. At this time a good citizen came to her aid and Johnson fled out of the station.

Johnson was placed into custody and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. It is expected Johnson will be arraigned sometime today in Boston Municipal Court-Central Division for Assault to Rob (Unarmed) and Assault & Battery on an Elderly Person.

media inquiries should be directed to rsullivan@mbta.com

tpdnews.

The events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt