Elderly man robbed outside Revere bank

REVERE – A Revere man is facing serious charges after he allegedly robbed an elderly man who was leaving a downtown Sovereign Bank on Thursday.Marcus E. Johnson, 22, of 98 Ridge Road, was arrested and charged with unarmed robbery on a person over age 60, assault and battery on an elderly or handicapped person, resisting arrest and an outstanding warrant.According to Police Capt. Dennis Collyer, the suspect waited for an 81-year-old Winthrop man to make a withdrawal and robbed him after he exited the bank at the corner of Broadway and Foster Street about 10 a.m.”The suspect tried to wrestle the money away from the victim. They struggled and the victim tore the shirt off the suspect,” Collyer said.As police officers rushed to the scene, including one who was working a construction detail on nearby Park Avenue, they were broadcast a description of the suspect as a black male wearing black shorts and no shirt. A witness told police he was running toward Hill Park, police said.A witness who was on the phone with police reported the suspect jumped a fence by the tennis courts near Fernwood Avenue.”A lot of witnesses saw the incident,” Collyer said.Officer David Caramanica, who was not working a detail, quickly responded to the scene and jumped two fences before eventually catching the suspect along with Sgt. Jeff Graff.Police said Caramanica observed Johnson throw something into a trash barrel behind a home at 74 Fernwood during the chase. According to Collyer, the object was later determined to be a wad of cash from the victim totaled at $1,095.After Johnson was taken into custody, the victim positively identified him as the robber, police said.Johnson was taken to the hospital a short time after his arrest complaining of chest pains. He was under police guard the entire time, Collyer said.Johnson is expected for arraignment today in Chelsea District Court.