Charges dismissed against Lynn man in Salem home invasion case

LYNN – The case against a Lynn man who was facing home invasion and armed robbery charges in connection with two incidents in Salem has been dismissed.Robert Furtick, 31, of 19 Marianna St., Lynn was arrested on March 5 at his residence on a straight warrant issued out of Salem District Court. He was charged with breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony, unarmed robbery of a person over 65 years of age, assault and battery on a disabled person over 60 years of age, two counts of intimidation of a witness, and malicious destruction of property over $250.Furtick was in Salem District Court on May 11 for a probable cause hearing in connection with two incidents that allegedly occurred on Feb. 19 and Feb. 28.According to police reports, Furtick allegedly showed up at the victim’s Lafayette Street apartment and demanded money.Carrie Kimball Monahan, a spokesman for Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, said the charges were dropped because the witness and alleged victim were reluctant to testify.”Basically there was a lack of witness cooperation,” she said. “One of the witnesses invoked the Fifth Amendment so without their cooperation there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.”According to published reports, the daughter of the victim was present when at least one of the alleged attacks occurred and she was an acquaintance of Furtick. The daughter of the victim told the judge she was invoking the Fifth Amendment and would not testify on the advice of her attorney. After she told Judge Richard Mori she would not testify, the alleged victim also refused to cooperate with prosecutors.Furtick is no stranger to police. In September 2007, he was arrested in Lynn and charged with distribution of a class B drug (cocaine), possession of narcotics in a school zone, disguising oneself to obstruct justice and on six outstanding warrants. At the time, Furtick went under the alias of Gilbert Kipchuchis.