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Six from N.H. charged in ‘brazen’ Downtown Crossing assault and robbery
Authorities say a group chased a 19-year-old victim and beat him before stealing his phone, ID, and debit cards.
Six people from New Hampshire are facing charges after a 19-year-old man was allegedly chased, assaulted, and robbed at the Downtown Crossing MBTA station, authorities said.
Officers responded around 3:25 p.m. Sunday to Liberty Square and Water Street for a reported robbery, according to a statement from the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office.
The victim told police he was confronted by a group of men while riding the Red Line. After getting off the train at Downtown Crossing, the group allegedly chased him onto an escalator and attacked him.
When the victim fell to the ground, the group kicked him in the face and head before taking his cellphone, ID, and debit cards, authorities said. The suspects then fled the scene.
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Luiz Loaiza, 20; Jose Soto, 20; Cameroon Castro, 21; Anthony Perry, 22; and Alexander Loaiza, 21, all of Manchester, were arraigned Monday in Boston Municipal Court Central on charges of unarmed robbery, assault and battery with a deadly weapon — referring to the kicking with shoes — and disorderly conduct, according to charging documents.
Authorities said officers used the victim’s phone tracking feature and surveillance footage and located a group of eight, including the five allegedly involved in the attack, outside 99 Blackstone St. As officers approached, they observed what appeared to be blood on Soto’s shoes, jacket, and shirt.
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One member of the group asked, “Is this about the phone?,” before revealing the victim’s cellphone and debit cards from her sweatshirt, according to the district attorney’s office. She was later identified as 20-year-old Giavanna Williams, who is charged with receiving stolen property of over $1,200 and disorderly conduct.
Judge James Coffey set bail at $500 each and ordered them to stay away from the victim and the location of the alleged attack, according to the district attorney’s office.
All six are scheduled to return to court May 19 for a probable cause hearing, according to court records.
“This was a brazen daytime attack in the middle of the city by a group from out of state who, quite mistakenly, may have thought they could get away with such horrendous behavior and violence,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. “They will be held accountable for their frightening attack on this young man.”
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