Malden pedestrian robbed at knifepoint during police sweep
While police K-9 units from around the region descended on Malden for the seventh recent sweep of public parks Saturday night, two men robbed a person at knife-point on Cedar Street.
The robbery was reported at 9:40 p.m. near the intersection of Cedar Street and Rockland Street, said Police Captain Thomas Swanson. The sweep had begun about 8 p.m., according to Mayor Gary Christenson's office.
The victim, who was not identified, was allegedly approached by two black men who appeared in their late teens or early 20s, according to police. One of them brandished a knife and demanded the victim turn over valuables. The victim surrendered an iPhone and $20 in cash, Swanson said.
No arrests have been made.
Asked about the effectiveness of the sweeps if a robbery could take place unimpeded while K-9 officers were swarming around the city, Swanson deferred comment to Police Chief James Holland.
No one answered the phone at the chief's office Wednesday afternoon, and a message requesting comment was not immediately returned. Lieutenant Marc Gatcomb, a department spokesman, also was not available.
The sweeps are being conducted to combat a rash of gun violence that has plagued the city since August.
Matt Byrne can be reached at mbyrne.globe@gmail.com.
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