Man pleads guilty to role in Lynn armed robbery

SALEM – A man who participated in the holdup of a Lynn man, stealing his jewelry and keys and attempting to rob his companion in July 2008 has confessed and may spend the next 10 years behind bars.Tyrone Coleman, 31, a laborer who last lived at 878 Slade St. in Fall River, struck a deal and pleaded guilty Monday in Salem Superior Court to six out of eight charges that involved armed robbery, armed assault with intent to rob, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm during a felony, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of marijuana before Judge Timothy Q. Feeley.Coleman was sentenced to serve not less than seven years and not more than 10 years in state prison which will be followed by another five years of probation upon his release. He was also ordered to stay away from the victims and all witnesses involved in the case and must refrain from all non-prescribed substances and be subject to random drug screenings.Feeley sentenced Coleman in accordance with an agreement reached by Assistant District Attorney Kim M. Faitella and defense lawyer George E. Murphy, Jr.Shortly after 11 p.m. on July 10, 2008 two men were jumped on Commercial Street during a robbery by three assailants.The victims, both Lynn men ages 19 and 23, told authorities they were on Commercial Street when a brown Taurus stopped near them and three men jumped out, armed with loaded guns, and demanded their money and jewelry.Coleman, armed with a silver gun, struck the 23-year-old man with the gun as his accomplice, Jason Tate, rummaged through his pants pockets and then ripped his gold chain and bracelet from him. The robbers, however, failed to steal anything from the other man before fleeing from the scene.The victims quickly reacted, called 911, provided their location and a description of the getaway car as they followed their assailants in an Audi from Lynn to Saugus.Lynn police officer Thomas Holland, hearing the emergency dispatch, spotted the brown Taurus and stopped the vehicle.Just before pulling them over, Holland observed the robbers toss something from the driver’s side of the car.Coleman was seated in the front passenger side of the car. Police found a quantity of marijuana on him during a pat frisk.A police search of the area revealed a silver handgun and a semi-automatic black firearm in the area where something was tossed from the Taurus.Indictments for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a Class E narcotic (seroquel), were dropped as part of the plea agreement.The judge credited Coleman the 487 days he has spent in jail in lieu of bail awaiting trial on the case.Tate pleaded to his role in the case and is currently serving 10 years in state prison.A third alleged participant, Rickie Bates, 34, of Fall River, awaits trial on the case. His attorney, Russell Sobelman has said in previous court hearings that he believes the incident was a “drug deal gone bad.”