Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Hey, Billy, if you want a story, I have one for you. I was riding my 150cc motorcycle home from Stop & Shop with groceries on me when I was stopped on Marshall Street, right at the park, by a young kid who ran out into the street. He started asking me questions about my motorcycle and showed me a wad of cash, asking if I was selling it. I told him no and proceeded to say that if I ever wanted to, I would take his phone number down. He gave me his phone, so I took it and called my phone so I would have his number. When I gave him his phone back, he pulled a gun from his pocket, told me to get off the bike, and proceeded to steal it.

I was in total shock for a minute, then realized I had his phone number, and I called it four times. A female then answered the phone, acting like she had no idea what I was talking about. She even said, “I’m not even in Somerville. I don’t know who you are, sir.” Then she began to threaten me also and hung up the phone.

I immediately called the Somerville police, who came down rapidly, took a full statement, and began the search for the armed suspect immediately and in force. They ended up finding the suspect and the female in front of Louis’s Ice Cream, claiming they had just come back from Stop & Shop and had no idea about a stolen motorcycle. The officer detective then took me to identify the suspect, which I positively identified. I thought both of them were placed under arrest, but it ended up only the male was arrested. When he was searched at the police station, the officers found my keys in his possession.

The female was let go and not charged in connection, even though she was clearly involved. During the interrogation, the male suspect admitted that he stole the motorcycle, but the police officers said he would not admit to having a firearm—which nobody would admit to having a firearm. I told the officers he probably stashed it or handed it off to a friend near Stop & Shop, or that his female accomplice was going to retrieve it.

My motorcycle was later found at 4 Aldersey St. in Somerville, in the back, chained up beside a dumpster. It does have some scratches on it now, and the engine seems to run a little bit rough, as if when the suspect fled on it, he might have fallen or just beat on the engine during his robbery. He will be in the Somerville courthouse tomorrow morning.

I am grateful for the work of the police and that I did not get shot, but I also feel his female partner should have been charged in connection, whether or not he admitted to having a firearm during his robbery. I apologize texting you so late in the evening. I just wanted to get this story to you. I hope you get to read this in the morning.

Christopher T