BOSTON, March 12, 2014—A Roslindale man was arraigned on a robbery charge today, thanks to a US Marine who tackled him moments after he allegedly stole a woman’s purse in Chinatown, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

DEMETRICK NEALY (D.O.B. 3/19/87) was formally charged today with one count of unarmed robbery for the incident yesterday evening. Nealy is accused of snatching a 41-year-old woman’s purse from behind as the woman walked down Beach Street at about 7:30 p.m. The woman screamed for help, and a 23-year-old Marine Corps lieutenant from Corona, California, responded.

“This young man saw what was happening and sprinted into action,” Conley said. “He chased the suspect for about four blocks, tackled him, and held him for police.”

Two Massachusetts State police in plainclothes were driving by and witnessed part of the chase. They arrived at the area of 37 Stuart St. to find the Marine detaining Nealy and the woman’s purse nearby. She later told Boston Police officers that all its contents were still inside as she left them. She complained of soreness where her assailant shoved her, but declined medical attention.

“She was lucky to have a Good Samaritan looking out for her, but even luckier that he was a Marine,” Conley said.

Boston Police arrested Nealy after the victim identified him as the man who had stolen her purse. At arraignment today, Judge Mark Hart Summerville imposed $5,000 cash bail and ordered him to return to court on April 11. Nealy was represented by attorney Timothy Nolan.

–30–

All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.