Suspect in ATM mugging of blind man arrested

From The Boston Herald:

An accused thief connected with a string of merciless robberies in West Roxbury, including the cold-hearted heist of a blind man at knifepoint at an ATM, was arrested July 8.

Jermone Tate (pictured), 47, of West Roxbury, allegedly placed the 59-year-old blind victim in a headlock during the June 20 robbery, police said.

He warned the man: “Give me the money or I will stick you,” the victim told Boston police.

Tate then made off with the victim’s wallet, containing $24 in cash, and ran out of the bank, police said today.

Tate, who has a history of robberies in the area, eluded cops because the blind suspect could not give a physical description, according to police. He was later identified by the surveillance footage caught by the ATM camera, police said.

After the robbery, police said the camera caught Tate again, this time returning to the ATM to make a withdrawal with the victim’s card, though he was unsuccessful.

Tate was arrested by Boston police today. He will be arraigned July 9 in West Roxbury District Court, on charges of armed robbery and abuse of the disabled.