Lynn elderly beating suspect indicted

SALEM – A Lynn man accused of viciously attacking and robbing a 94-year-old woman in her home on South Common Street in January was one of two men indicted last Friday by an Essex County grand jury.Michael Leroy Collins, 56, of 50 Andrew St., #203, is charged with armed robbery, home invasion as well as assault and battery on a victim over the age of 60.According to reports, on the night of Jan. 25 the suspect barged into the home of Lillian Sutson, at 229 South Common St., where the woman was hit over the head with an object causing head lacerations that required 14 stitches to close.She told authorities there was a knock on her door and she opened it carefully, recognizing Collins, who had come to her before asking for money.Before she could close the door, he apparently barged in, pushing her to the ground, and closed the door behind him.Once inside he allegedly struck her on the head, pushed her against a table and grabbed her purse, rummaging through it for cash.When he didn’t find any in the pocketbook, he then began going through her pockets, finding nearly $400.The very feisty 94-year-old woman had a pen in her hand and was able to stab Collins in the thigh during a struggle before he ran from the building.The victim screamed for help as he fled.Collins was arrested a short time later by police on Neptune Boulevard.Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose is prosecuting the case for the state.Also indicted was Raymond Wallace, 34, of Salem, charged with armed robbery while masked, buying and receiving a stolen motor vehicle and burning a motor vehicle concerning a holdup at Borders Books and Music in Peabody on Dec. 23 as well as burning a stolen vehicle in Salem on Technology Way, off Swampscott Road.Indictments are not an indication of guilt, rather it is a legal process that allows a case to be transferred from District Court to Superior Court allowing for a more severe penalty.