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Date: October 12, 2007 Subject: Armed Robbery Arrest
On Friday, October 12, 2007, at approximately 2:26 A.M., Officers William Rogers and John Harkness were on proactive patrol in the parking lot of the strip mall, located at 50 Western Avenue. At about this time, a 911 call was placed to the Lynn Police Department from someone within the 7 Eleven Store. Lynn Police Officer John Dean immediately dispatched Officers Harkness and Rogers. Already present in the parking lot, they quickly entered the store. Once inside, the officers observed a person wearing dark sunglasses, and a hood pulled over her head, struggling with the clerk behind the counter. They also observed the suspect clutching a handful of money. Officer Harkness came to the clerk’s aid, by entering behind the counter. Officer Rogers, who was positioned in front of the register, grabbed the suspect’s arm and forced it onto the counter. As the money fell out of her hand, Officer Rogers noticed she was pointing a handgun in his direction. He was able to grasp the barrel of the firearm, and direct it upwards towards the ceiling. Both officers were able to forcefully remove the firearm from her hand, and secure the individual. The weapon was a 22 Caliber revolver. Christine DeGenova age (34) was taken into custody without further incident. She was transported to the Lynn Police Station for booking. During the procedure, she reported her address as homeless. She stated she lived at the Lynn Shelter on Willow Street, and on Bourbon Street in Peabody. She was charged with: Armed Robbery While Masked, Three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon a handgun, Resisting Arrest, Carrying a Firearm without a License, Using a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. According to the store clerk, the suspect approached the counter while wearing large dark sunglasses and a black hoodie pulled over her head. She allegedly displayed a firearm and demanded the money from the register. At some point, she came behind the counter and seized the money from one of the registers. She then demanded money from another register, and the clerk complied. As she attempted to take the money, the clerk began to struggle for control of the weapon. At about this point, the officers entered the store. The call to 911 was placed by a second clerk who was also in the store. This was an extremely dangerous situation for the officers, the store clerk and the suspect. During these tense few moments, Officers John Harkness and William Rogers, without regard for their own safety, intervened and prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
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