By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the area around the Market Basket store on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of an armed robbery involving a gun that had taken place.

According police, a victim had reported that he had been robbed by a man, later identified as Rahkeen Gray, of Brooklyn, NY. The victim told police that Gray said he had a gun, but the victim never saw it.

After flagging down a police cruiser, the victim told officers that Gray had headed eastbound along Somerville Ave.

The victim provided police with a description of Gray and the clothing he was wearing, adding that he was carrying a plastic shopping bag and a skateboard.

Soon after broadcasting a be-on-the-lookout for anyone matching Gray’s description, an officer on patrol spotted him entering Bull McCabe’s on Somerville Ave.

Officers entered Bull McCabe’s and approached Gray, as he matched the description given and was also in possession of a skateboard and a plastic bag. The officers asked Gray to step outside to talk.

According to reports, Gray started to get loud and said, “I didn’t do anything to those white people.”

Gray reportedly became increasingly belligerent, so he was placed in handcuffs. A pat frisk for weapons was conducted but none were found.

When asked if he had any weapons on him Gray reportedly told the officers that he had a knife in his backpack. Once outside, the officers retrieved from Gray’s backpack a large yellow and white serrated knife.

Officers at the Market Basket spoke with the reporting party, and it was further determined that there were three victims. The officers questioned each victim separately.

The first victim told police that he was out to dinner in Union Sq. with two of his friends, and they walked east on Somerville Ave. away from Union Sq. While on Somerville Ave. between Carlton St. and Church St. they were allegedly approached by Gray, who reportedly stated, “Hey, give me a dollar.”

One of the parties told Gray “no” but he again demanded money from the group. After repeatedly refusing to give Gray money, he reportedly told them, “Ok, now you all are getting robbed.”

Gray allegedly stated that he had a gun and he put his hands into his coat pockets, but did not display a firearm. Fearing that Gray might actually have a firearm, one of the parties pulled out his wallet and began throwing money onto the ground.

Once Gray’s attention was drawn to the money on the ground, the group ran away and immediately called 911.

Another victim told police that he was out to dinner at El Potro with two of his friends, and after leaving the restaurant they proceeded to head east on Somerville Ave.

Just after the group passed Carlton St., Gray reportedly walked very closely past the group, and possibly coming into contact with one of them.

According to the victims, Gray began to follow them. and eventually demanded money twice. Each time he was told “no” Gray reportedly stated to, “Now you all are getting robbed.”

Once again, Gray reportedly claimed that he was in possession of a firearm but none was ever shown.

As with the first group, one of them took out his wallet and began throwing money onto the ground. Again, while Gray was distracted by the money the group fled down Somerville Ave. towards Market Basket and immediately called 911.

Finally, police spoke with a third victim who told them that she was out with her friends, walking along Somerville Ave., when Gray walked very close to her. As with the others, Gray reportedly proceeded to follow them and he twice demanded money from them.

Each time Gray was told “no” he reportedly told them that they were being robbed and that he had a gun. Again, no weapon was shown.

One of the group took out his wallet and began throwing money onto the ground, and when Gray’s attention was drawn to the money the group fled the area, then called 911 to request police assistance.

Members of each group of victims agreed to conduct a show-up identification and they reportedly positively identified Gray as the robber.

A search of Gray’s front left pants pocket turned up crumpled money, totaling $48. There were two $20 bills, one $5 bill, and three $1 bills. The money was tagged and logged into evidence.

Gray was transported to the station and booked on charges of armed robbery and attempt to commit a crime.

A search of the surrounding area was conducted in an attempt to locate a firearm. As was expected, no such firearm was ever found.