Two teenage girls are facing charges after police say a woman was robbed and beaten outside a Mobil gas station in East Boston late Thursday night. The woman told officers she chased a group of teens from inside the store onto Border Street, where she was allegedly thrown to the ground and kicked several times. She got her wallet back, but the cash was gone. Officers later tracked several teenagers to a nearby apartment building and detained two of them, taking one into custody only after a struggle.
Police: Store grab turns into street assault
Boston police say officers responded to the Mobil at 5 Falcon St. around 8:54 p.m. Thursday for a reported robbery and a person with a knife. According to the woman, one teen grabbed her wallet inside the store, and when she chased the group to Border Street, she was assaulted. Police say the suspects ran into an apartment building at 425 Border St., where officers later found several teens. As reported by WCVB, one girl surrendered without incident, while another allegedly fought officers as they tried to arrest her.
Case heads for Chelsea Juvenile Court
Boston police say both girls are expected to be arraigned in Chelsea Juvenile Court, which handles delinquency matters for East Boston and nearby communities. Juvenile court proceedings differ from adult criminal court and typically put a formal emphasis on rehabilitation alongside public safety. The Chelsea Juvenile Court posts its contact information and jurisdictional details online. See Chelsea Juvenile Court for information about the session expected to hear the arraignment.
What prosecutors say happened and who is charged
According to WCVB, a 14-year-old girl from Mattapan is charged with unarmed robbery. A 16-year-old girl from Dorchester faces multiple counts, including unarmed robbery, assault with intent to rob, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Police say other teens found at the apartment were identified at the scene and released, with witnesses, including the victim, helping officers confirm who was involved. WCVB reports the 16-year-old “violently resisted, kicking, screaming, and refusing to move from the ground,” leading officers to call in additional units to complete the arrest.
Recent youth violence has Eastie on alert
The arrests come amid a string of youth-involved incidents in East Boston this spring, as officers respond to more violent encounters involving teenagers. In March, Boston.com reported that police arrested a 15-year-old in a separate stabbing near the Maverick T stop, a case that renewed attention on juvenile safety and prevention in the neighborhood. Community leaders and law enforcement say outreach efforts and targeted policing continue to be part of the discussion as new cases move through juvenile court.
Police ask public for tips, video
Boston police are asking anyone with information about the gas station robbery, including video, to contact officers at the East Boston district or through the department's tip lines. Contact details for District A-7 (East Boston), along with station information and safe-exchange resources, are listed on the Boston Police Department website. For more on the East Boston station, see the Boston Police Department.
