Machete and brick used in bike robbery in Somerville

On April 28, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

By George P. Hassett

A Somerville man on his way to play soccer at Glen Park was knocked down and threatened with a large machete and brick before his bike was stolen on April 19, police said.

Paul Yandle, 19, of 30 River Rd., and Joseph Szulewski, 20, of Everett, were two of the four attackers who stole the bike, police said. They were arrested and charged with armed robbery, conspiracy and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The afternoon attack and robbery happened at the intersection of Bonair and Cross streets, police said. A woman who participated was not found but police said they are still investigating.

The victim told police one of the men knocked him to the ground and yelled, "Are you MS-13?" while a second man threatened to him with a brick.

Police learned one of the men lived at 30 River Road in the Mystic Housing Development and contacted a Somerville Housing Authority officer who told them he was looking at a man, Yandle, who lived in that building and fit the description. Next to Yandle was Szulewski, who fit the description of the second man involved in the robbery.

The victim identified both men as participating in the robbery, police said.