LYNN — A Lynn man has been arrested after allegedly violently attacking a convenience store employee at 453 Chatham St. on Halloween.
On Oct. 31, around 7:20 p.m., an employee at Richdale Convenience Store was severely beaten by a customer and suffered a broken jaw, leg, and nose. The store owner told WCVB that the attack occurred after the clerk refused to sell cigarillos to the perpetrator for failing to show identification.
On Friday, police officers assigned to the Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigation Division, and the Massachusetts State Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section located 22-year-old suspect Joshua Mora of Lynn and placed him in custody.
Mora was charged with armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed assault and battery to intimidate with bodily injury, and malicious destruction of property under $1200. He pleaded not guilty to the charges while appearing in court on Friday. He will be held without bail until his next court hearing at Lynn District Court on Thursday.
LPD Capt. Chris Kelly, who oversees the Detective Unit, described the incident as a “brutal and unnecessary attack on a hardworking member of our community.”
“We worked tirelessly until we were able to locate the suspect and apprehend him. We are committed to keeping our community safe and holding violent offenders accountable. Mr. Mora is now facing several serious charges. We‘d like to thank everyone that came forward with information,” Kelly said.
Kelly added that the LPD has received “a lot of community outreach” from “concerned and troubled” city councilors and residents following the incident.
Ward 2 Councilor Obed Matul said he has since asked the police department to increase its presence in the area, which is in close proximity to Aborn Elementary School, Hood Elementary School, and Lynn English High School. Matul also thanked the LPD for their efforts following the attack.
“Public safety is a priority for myself and my fellow councilors. We have been working very closely with the police department. They’ve done a great job. We’ve seen more patrols in the area,” Matul said.
Matul urged small business owners to reach out to him and other councilors with any questions or concerns.
