Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474
For Immediate Release
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Arlington Police Arrest Woman for Attempted Armed Robbery
ARLINGTON — Chief Frederick Ryan reports that the Arlington Police Department arrested a woman for attempting to rob someone outside Walgreens yesterday.
REBEKAH COLE, AGE 25, WHOSE LAST KNOW ADDRESS IS IN ARLINGTON, is charged with:
- Armed Assault with Intent to Rob Someone Over 65
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon on Someone Over 65 (knife)
- Shoplifting
- Fugitive from Justice (warrant)
On Thursday, Dec. 14, at approximately 2 p.m., an Arlington Police Officer was on holiday foot patrol in the area behind Trader Joe’s, 427 Massachusetts Ave., when he was dispatched to Walgreens, 1425 Massachusetts Ave., on a report of an attempted armed robbery.
Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the victim, a 71-year-old man from Lexington, who stated he was held at knife point and that the suspect, later identified at COLE, demanded his wallet. When the victim refused, COLE fled the area.
A description of COLE was relayed to police, and not long after, an Arlington Police Officer who was off duty working a safety detail on Massachusetts Avenue observed a woman turning onto Park Avenue who he thought could be COLE.
The officer approached the woman, and following an on scene investigation, placed her under arrest. The officer located a folding knife and four packages of unopened candy on COLE’S person, which were determined to have been taken from Walgreens.
COLE was booked and held at the Arlington Police Department pending her arraignment at Cambridge District Court.
“During the holidays, the Arlington Police Department has an increased presence around shopping areas in the effort to prevent crime,” Chief Ryan said. “Because this officer was on patrol minutes from where the incident occurred, we were able to locate the suspect almost immediately.”
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