A Chelsea man is behind bars today following his arrest for allegedly robbing a Lafayette Avenue apartment at gunpoint just after midnight only to be apprehended when firefighters scared his associate away and called police, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

CHARNNE AUGUSTIN (D.O.B. 4/2/85) was arraigned in Chelsea District Court this afternoon on charges of armed home invasion, armed assault with intent to rob, kidnapping, and a slew of firearms offenses. Accommodating a request by Assistant District Attorney Barrett Hyde, Judge James Wexler set bail at $250,000 and revoked Augustin’s open bail on an unrelated case.

Prosecutors say Augustin and another man approached a Lafayette Avenue resident emptying his trash into a dumpster at about midnight. At gunpoint, the assailants robbed him of his house keys and cell phone, warning him not to do “anything stupid.” One assailant stood guard over that victim while the second – believed to be Augustin – went into his apartment building with a silver revolver.

Augustin allegedly went to the victim’s apartment and opened the door, brandishing the revolver at another man inside. Augustin allegedly ordered that man to the ground, tied him with computer cables, and stole a large quantity of money from the residence.

Meanwhile, members of the Chelsea Fire Department arrived for an unrelated call. As they did, the assailant guarding the first victim fled the scene. The victim ran toward the firefighters, told them what had happened, and waited as they called Chelsea Police.

Chelsea Police responded to the scene and spoke with the first victim, who informed them that he had been robbed at gunpoint. The officers went to his apartment, where they were informed by the second victim that the gunman had jumped out the third-floor window when he heard police coming.

At that moment, officers outside the building heard the sound of a person falling and observed Augustin sitting on the ground. Despite orders not to move, Augustin allegedly took off down Franklin Avenue with a gun in his hand.

Multiple officers began chasing Augustin for several blocks, observing him toss a silver .357 caliber Ruger revolver near Spruce Street. The revolver was loaded with five live rounds and one spent casing. Officers also recovered about $10,000 in cash from Augustin’s person and an additional $35,000 from the area around the building.

Augustin was represented today by attorney Donna Ciupylo. He will return to court on Oct. 18.