Two Boston Men Charged in Armed Robbery
BOSTON — Two Boston men were charged late yesterday in federal court with the armed robbery of the Metro PCS retail store in Codman Square in October 2011.
Lynch E. Arthur, 40, and Ronald E. Brown, 38, were charged with armed robbery, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearm.
The Indictment alleges that on the morning of Oct. 31, 2011, two men entered the Metro–PCS retail store on Washington Street in Dorchester. One man distracted the store clerk while the other walked around the counter and displayed a semi–automatic handgun. The two then forced the clerk into the back storage room and demanded cash after arming themselves with semi–automatic handguns. One man used duck tape to tie up the store clerk then the two removed cash from the cash register and fled the scene. A short time later two men fitting the descriptions of the robbers were observed running on Kenwood Street and were stopped and questioned. The officers observed articles of clothing, reportedly worn by the subjects, on the sidewalk from the direction that the men came from. The officers did a sweep and recovered the items used by the robbers and US currency consistent with the amount stolen. The individuals were brought back to the store and positively identified by the store clerk.
If convicted on these charges each individual faces life in prison to be followed by five years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and restitution.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Guy Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crime Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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