On Monday, February 11, 2019, I, Officer Justin Buswell, worked my assigned 4pm-12am shift while in full-uniform in marked Somerville Police Cruiser East-2.

At 9:30pm, I, along with Officer Reece (East-3) were dispatched to the area around Market Basket (400 Somerville Ave) for a report of an Armed Robbery involving a gun that had just occurred. Multiple additional Somerville Police Units, Sgt. McCarey (S8), Sgt Perrone (S414), Sgt. Rego, Det. Costa (D-22), Det. Pulli (D13), Ofc. Nevin (West-5) responded as well to assist. Somerville Control updated responding units that the Victim/Reporting Party, a XXXX, had just been Robbed by a black male wearing glasses. The suspect was also carrying a skate board. The suspect had told XXXX that he had a gun but no gun was shown. The suspect was last seen headed east bound on Somerville Ave towards Union Sq. Sgt. Perrone who was on assignment at Market Basket was flagged down by the victim and had received additional information that the suspect was carrying a white and black plastic shopping bag. Sgt. Perrone immediately broadcast that addition information to responding units.

Approximately one (1) minute after the update from Somerville Control and Sgt. Perrone Det. Costa was turning onto Somerville Ave from Bow Street. Det. Costas’ attention was immediately drawn to an individual matching that description entering Bull McCabe’s (366A Somerville Ave). See Det. Costa’s supplemental report for further information regarding his initial observations. Det. Costa, Ofc. Reece, Sgt. McCarey and I entered Bull McCabe’s. We approached the individual that Det. Costa observed enter Bull McCabe’s later identified, as Rahkeen GRAY. GRAY matched the description that was given by Somerville Control and was also in possession of a skateboard and a white and black plastic bag. The skate board and white and black plastic bag was tagged and logged into evidence. Officers told GRAY to step outside so that we could talk. GRAY without any questioning from Officer had an excited utterance and started being loud and stated “I didn’t do anything to those white people.” Due to the nature of the call, for Public Safety, Officer Safety, and due to GRAY become increasingly belligerent he was placed in handcuffs. It should be noted that Bull McCabe’s was occupied by multiple employees and customers at this time. GRAY was handcuffed, double locked and checked for proper tightness behind his back. A pat/frisk for weapons was conducted of GRAY. No weapons were found during the pat/frisk. GRAY was asked if he had any weapons on him. GRAY told Officers that he had a knife in his backpack. GRAY was escorted outside of Bull McCabe’s so that the investigation could continue. Once outside Officers retrieved from GRAY’s back pack a large yellow and white serrated knife. The knife was tagged and logged into evidence.

I then responded to Market Basket to speak with the Victim/Reporting Party XXXX who was currently standing by with Sgt. Perrone and Det. Pulli. Upon arrival to Market Basket I was advised by Sgt. Perrone that there were three (3) victims. I separated and spoke with each victim separately.

I first spoke with XXXX. XXXX told me that he was out to dinner in Union Sq with two of his friends, a XXXX and a XXXX. XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX headed east on Somerville Ave away from Union Sq. While on Somerville Ave between Carlton Street and Church Street they were approached by GRAY who stated “hey give me a dollar.” XXXX told GRAY “no.” GRAY again demanded money from the group. Again XXXX again told GRAY “no”. GRAY then stated to XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX “Ok, now you all are getting robbed.” GRAY stated that “I have a gun.” GRAY put his hands into his coat pockets but did not display a firearm. XXXX fearing that GRAY was armed with a firearm XXXX pulled out his wallet and began throwing money onto the ground. XXXX was unsure about the total amount of money that he threw on the ground but he believes it was approximately $65.00 USD. XXXX was sure that there were multiple denominations. He was sure that there was an unknown combination of 20s, 5s, and 1s. When GRAY’s attention was drawn to the money on the ground, XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX ran. XXXX immediately called 911.

I then spoke with XXXX who told me that he was out to dinner at El Potro with two of his friend XXXX and XXXX. They left dinner and proceeded to leave Union Sq. heading east on Somerville Ave. While walking on Somerville Ave just after Carlton Street GRAY walked very closely past XXXX possibly coming into contact with XXXX. GRAY began to follow them. GRAY then demanded money twice. Each time XXXX told him “no”. GRAY then stated to XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX, “Now you all are getting robbed.” GRAY told XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX that he was in possession of a firearm but no firearm was shown. XXXX took out his wallet and began throwing money onto the ground. When GRAY was districted by the money the group fled down Somerville Ave towards Market Basket and XXXX immediately called 911. Due to GRAY’s statements about a firearm XXXX believed GRAY was armed.

Finally, I spoke with XXXX who told me tonight she was out to dinner with her friends. They proceeded to leave Union Sq heading east on Somerville Ave. While walking down Somerville Ave GRAY walked very close to her. GRAY was carrying a white plastic bag with a black square/logo that had brushed up against her. GRAY then proceeded to follow them. GRAY twice demanded money from them. Each time XXXX told GRAY “no.” GRAY then told XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX that they were being robbed and that he had a gun. No weapon was shown. XXXX took out his wallet and began throwing money from his wallet onto the ground. When GRAY was attention was drawn to the money the group fled the area. XXXX called 911 to request police assistance. Due to the statements GRAY made about having a firearm XXXX believed GRAY was armed.

While XXXX was on the phone with 911 the group noticed Sgt. Perrone and flagged him down.

XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX were asked if they were willing to conduct a show-up identification. XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX all agreed to a show-up identification. Sgt. McCarey conducted the show-up identification with XXXX. Ofc. Nevin conducted the show-up identification with XXXX. I conducted the show-up identification with XXXX. Sgt. McCarey, Ofc. Nevin, and I each filled out a show-up identification checklists. Sgt. McCary, Ofc. Nevin, and I read the witness advisements directly from the sheet to XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX. XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX stated that they clearly understood the instructions and initialed each line. XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX also signed and dated the bottom on the show-up identification form. Sgt. McCarey conducted the show-up idenfication first with XXXX. XXXX made a positive identification of GRAY as the individual that had robbed the group. XXXX stated “the middle guy could be him. The one standing there with the glasses on.” I conducted the next show-up with XXXX. XXXX made a positive identification of GRAY as the individual that had robbed the group. XXXX stated “I would definitely say the guy in the middle.” Ofc. Nevin conducted the final show-up identification with XXXX. XXXX made a positive identification of GRAY as the individual that had robbed the group. XXXX stated “that’s him. They guy in the middle. I am confident that is him.” It should be noted that during this show-up identification GRAY was uncuffed and away from any uniformed officers. GRAY was standing in-between two plainclothes Somerville Police Officers, Sgt. Rego and Det. Costa. Also present outside in the vicinity of the show-up identification were multiple patrons of Bull McCabe’s who were outside smoking. The show-up identification forms were tagged and logged into evidence.

Based on the above stated facts, I placed Rahkeen GRAY under arrest for the following violation of Massachusetts General Law:
-Ch. 265/S.17A Armed Robbery
-Ch. 274/S.6 Attempt to Commit a Crime (Armed Robbery)
-Ch. 274/S.6 Attempt to Commit a Crime (Armed Robbery)

GRAY was handcuffed, double locked and checked for proper tightness behind his back. It was at this time that I read GRAY his Miranda Warnings from a pre-printed card. GRAY stated that he understood his Miranda Warnings. GRAY continued speaking stating “how do you rob someone if I picked up the money off the ground.”
During a Search Incident to Arrest located in GRAY’s front left pants pocket was crumpled up money. The money totaled $48.00. There were two (2) $20 bills, one (1) $5 bill, and three (3) $1 bills. The money was tagged and logged into evidence.

GRAY was transported to the station by Officer Cleary who was operating the Mobile Detention Unit 200. Once at the station GRAY was booked in the usual manner by Lt. Rymill.

A search of the surrounding area was conducted in an attempt to locate a firearm. Officers were unable to locate a firearm.

Respectfully submitted,

Officer Justin Buswell #344.