Somerville and Cambridge Detectives,
with assistance from the MBTA Transit Police have been investigating a
series of several armed robberies committed in both cities over the
past month. These robberies shared a number of similar characteristics,
and descriptions of the perpetrator also showed similarities.

Last
evening, shortly before 11:30, Cambridge Detective Sergeant Pauline
Carter-Wells and Somerville Detective Michael Kiely were working
together in the Elm Street area when they observed a suspect approach a
male subject who was walking on Elm Street. The suspect displayed a
knife and held it near the victim's throat. Fearing for the safety of
the victim, Detectives immediately moved in, causing the suspect to
flee. A brief foot chase by Somerville and Cambridge Police ended
inside the Porter Square MBTA station with the apprehension of the
suspect by Cambridge Detective Michael Regal and Somerville Detective
Sean Sylvester.

The suspect has been identified as Jonas
Moses-Gilson, age 19, from Arlington. He has been charged with armed
assault with attempt to rob, assault with a dangerous weapon (knife)
and a city ordinance violation, carrying a dangerous weapon (knife). He
will be arraigned in Somerville District Court on Tuesday morning. No
photo of the suspect is available at this time.

The victim of
last night's attempted robbery left the scene before Somerville Police
were able to interview him. He is urged to contact Somerville Police at
617 625-1212 as soon as possible.