BOSTON — Three young women are facing charges on Sunday amid allegations of wreaking havoc inside a Downtown Crossing 7-Eleven early that morning. Police say the trio attacked the store clerks, a random customer and a man outside.
The 7-Eleven involved is within view of the Massachusetts State House, but those who routinely cross over to that side of Tremont say it can feel like a different world. Some described aggressive panhandling and loitering as a constant problem.
Hearing about the attacks just after 1 a.m. Sunday morning only validated their concerns.
The three women are accused of hurling merchandise around the store before attacking the clerks on duty and a random woman shopping. They then allegedly punched and stomped on a man before stealing his cell phone just outside the front door.
“When you come out you don’t expect to run into those types of things,” said Mildred Cody, who added that she spends a lot of time in the area.
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She said that she is not surprised to hear that police say the trio of alleged female attackers had been loitering at the store and harassing people for an extended period of time. The suspects allegedly started swinging after they were asked to leave.
“Other people chase them out and they come around here because it’s more convenient,” she said.
While Boston Police patrols the area day and night, neighbors say there’s only so much police can do.
Now, 21-year-old Jenna Gonzalez of East Boston, 21-year-old Brianna Romero and 18-year-old Audrina Hebert of Malden are expected to appear in court on Tuesday on charges of assault and battery, robbery and disorderly conduct.
The clerk on duty at the time told Boston 25 News their alleged tirade was captured on surveillance and that the footage has been provided to police.
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