Man accused of attacks has history of crime, drugs
By Maria Cramer and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
A man with a long history of crime and drug abuse has been charged in a series of robberies that targeted female pedestrians at night in Somerville and Cambridge, including an attack last week in which a 22-year-old woman was stabbed in the back while walking home from the Sullivan Square MBTA station.
Vincent Anthony Primo, a 40-year-old Medford resident with a criminal history that includes drug dealing, was arrested Saturday evening after police caught him coming out of a Medford house with a woman who had used a credit card stolen from one of the victims. Police said he is responsible for three robberies in Somerville and that his description and alleged method -- approaching women from behind and brandishing a sharp weapon -- is similar to the suspect in four Cambridge robberies since Nov. 19.
Primo was described by a probation officer in a 2006 report filed in Somerville District Court as a man with a "20-year history of cocaine abuse … [who has] made major personal changes, but has continued the same old behavior." At that point, Primo had a criminal record that included 35 convictions, 15 stints on probation, and six commitments to county jail, according to the report.
Primo pleaded not guilty today at his arraignment in Somerville District Court on several charges, including armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault with intent to murder. He was ordered held without bail. His lawyer, A.J. Blank, declined to comment.
Primo's arrest was a relief to police and Somerville residents anxious about a potential serial robber on the loose.
"Creeps like this you want apprehended right away," said Ricky DiGiovanni, owner of Ricky's Flower Market near Union Square, where one of the robberies took place. "There is no room for creeps in Somerville."
Detectives said they began to zero in on Primo last Thursday, after they released video surveillance of the woman leaving a Target store in Somerville, where she had just used the stolen credit card.
On Saturday morning, police received a tip from someone who recognized the woman. When she was identified, police quickly learned that the woman was friends with Primo. With the help of Medford police, investigators began staking out a Fulton Street address associated with Primo.
Somerville police declined to describe Primo's connection to the house because it was part of the ongoing investigation. According to a police report filed in Somerville District Court, the house is known to be a haven for drug users.
At about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, police saw Primo and the woman, identified as Kim Marie Szathmary, 41, of Somerville leaving the house. They were both arrested. Szathmary was charged with forgery, uttering a forged document, and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Szathmary was ordered held on $500 cash bail. She has several charges of credit card fraud dating to at least 2002, when she was a waitress at a Somerville restaurant where she was accused of increasing tips on signed customer receipts. Police described her as friends with Primo but to declined to elaborate.
In Somerville, Primo is accused of robbing one woman on Wednesday night and two women on Monday night. He allegedly stabbed one of those victims, a 22-year-old woman who was walking at Washington and Pinckney streets, with an object resembling a screwdriver.
The stabbing victim is in stable condition and resting at home, said Somerville Police Chief Anthony Holloway. Primo allegedly used a sharp weapon to threaten all of the victims in the Somerville robberies, Holloway said. The robber in three of the four Cambridge incidents used some sort of weapon to coerce his victims.
Cambridge police plan to show photos of Primo to the Cambridge victims this afternoon to determine whether he was their attacker. Cambridge Deputy Superintendent Lester Sullivan said he believes they have the right man.
"Dangerous guy based on what he did," Sullivan said. "I realize he has to be put before a judge and jury, but we're very confident in the arrest."
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Congratulations to the Cambridge, Arlington, and Somerville police for getting a low-life, scum ball who preys on women off the streets.
Yup, your mother has been following this story...
Those that don't learn from history are destined to repeat it: he'll be back on the streets in 20 months, end up killing someone, then it'll be used against Deval in a National election and he'll loose badly.
"There is no room for creeps in Somerville."
This comment had me laughing to tears. ^
Again, why was he even out of jail? Seriously, look at his record. We need a three strikes rule in MA (as in CA). Then we could lock this guy away for life without a problem.
He'll be out on probation again soon to continiue his crime spree. That's the Massachusetts way- soft on criminals.
Arlington police???? try Medford police
$500.00 Bail for the low life accomplice makes me wonder why I want to move to New Hampshire. Good work by the police in all communities involved.
"Man accused of attacks has history of crime, drugs "
You think so? Are we sure it wasn't a spur of the moment act? Lock this creep up for good. The rap sheet alone speaks for itself.
Both of them.....low-life, scum...maybe someone will do the same to them someday...it would be well deserved.
This man and his girlfriend are scumbags, I had a scary experience with them once. They are dope heads and should be put away for a long time.
35 convictions?! Sheesh, this is why I'm for the death penalty. Fry this loser up, and make it pay per view with the proceeds going to the police officers who found him rather quickly. I'd watch.
Nice job, guys, getting these two off the streets. My wife frequently comes home through Sullivan Station. We all appreciate the great work.
Their drugs addicts like ALOT of people. How about rehab THEN jail time and probation. THEY wouldn't be "scumbags" if they could get rid of the addiction. THEY NEED HELP!!
A.) I'm very glad to hear that the woman attacked near Sullivan Station is doing better.
B.) Kudos to all of the police departments involved for catching these thugs so quickly.
C.) Had these crimes happened in Charlestown (where I used to live) and not in Somerville (where I live now) I'm not so sure these 2 creeps would have ever have been caught. (Code of Silence, etc.) About 12yrs ago my apartment was robbed and then a few years later my car was keyed/vandalized. Both crimes committed by the same person - a 40yr old man who had spent time in prison as a juvenile for killing someone. The crimes went “unsolved” even though there was physical evidence against him. I’m very glad I moved to Somerville!
It's nice to see that Massachusetts has finally redirected law enforcement resources away from busting harmless potheads and started focusing on actual threats to society.
Ray: Three strikes laws are draconian; we don't need that sort of thing. And anyway, all it would have taken to stop this guy is a "thirty strikes" law. Why not pass a "thirty strikes" law?
To "former som resident".....drug addiction is never an excuse for crime, especially violent crime. Look....people can smoke all the crack and snort all the dope they want. I don't care. Just don't mess with other people. That's when it's time to go to jail.
They need help? They are offered help, they are mandated to help, they are put in rehab and drug court. 35 convictions probably amounts to at least 10 mandated rehabilitation stays. It doesn't work. Drugs do not make you rob people they are a reason to rob people. There are working addicts whose lives are caving in because they spend all their money on drugs. This guy is what I call a friggin idiot and he will continue to be an idiot until someone robs him, or endangers his life. County jail? Ha ha. It's a joke. Let him do some time up state. Maybe he wont like it as much as Billerica House of Correction.
Doug: I disagree. Anyone who is convicted of 3 or more felonies should not be permitted to reenter society (with the caveat being that all 3 felonies should be separate criminal activities, not possession, distribution, fraud, etc. that occur simultaneously). Sadly, too many repeat offenders are released on probation and end up conducting criminal activity. 2 shots at redemption seems more than fair, IMO.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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