Primo's girlfriend Kim Szathmary, 42, of Medford, was found guilty by a jury on charges of armed robbery, armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery with a deadly weapon and credit card fraud over $250. She was sentenced to seven to 10 years in jail.

"These defendants preyed on women who were on their way home near various transportation stations in Somerville and Cambridge, putting the residents of those communities in great fear," District Attorney Gerard Leone said. "We commend the excellent cooperative work between the Somerville and Cambridge Police Departments, as well as the State Police assigned to this office in building the cases that led to these significant community-impact guilty convictions."

According to authorities, between November 19, 2008 and December 10, 2008, seven separate robbery attempts and armed robbery incidents were reported in the Cambridge and Somerville area. The offenses were all committed by a similarly described male who robbed or attempted to rob women of their handbags on streets near public transportation routes. In once instance, Primo stabbed the victim multiple times, causing the victim to suffer a collapsed lung.

Szathmary was observed by surveillance cameras at an area bank and at area Target stores using the victims' credit and ATM cards. Szathmary also drove the car Primo made his escape in after each robbery.

Somerville and Cambridge Police Departments were aided by information provided by witnesses and victims who recognized the suspects' composite and surveillance photos that were broadcasted on the local media, leading to Primo and Szathmary's arrest on December 13, 2008.