An ordinary midafternoon at Downtown Crossing became a criminal scene when, according to authorities, a group of New Hampshire residents chased down a 19-year-old and assaulted him on an MBTA escalator before stealing his phone and bank cards.
Six people from Manchester, New Hampshire, were charged in Boston on Wednesday in connection with the March 15 incident, which authorities say occurred about 3:25 p.m. at the busy Downtown Crossing station. The incident left the victim on an escalator with facial and head injuries, and judges later ordered the accused to stay away from both the victim and the station.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Luiz Loaiza, Jose Soto, Cameron Castro, Anthony Perry, and Alexander Loaiza have each been charged with unarmed robbery, assault and battery with a deadly weapon (shod foot), and disorderly conduct. Giavanna Williams, a sixth defendant, was charged with receiving stolen property totaling $1,200 and disruptive behavior. A judge placed each person’s bond at $500 and enforced stay-away orders; all six are due back in court on May 19 for a probable-cause hearing…