Charlestown Man Charged in Mall Robbery

Vincent J. Martorano, 42, of Charlestown, was arraigned this week in Quincy District Court on charges of unarmed robbery of a person age 60 or older, assault and battery on a disabled person age 60 or older and larceny over $250.

The case was continued to Jan. 8. A judge ordered Martorano held on $15,000 bail at the Norfolk County House of Correction.

The charges stem from a May 13, 2012 incident in Braintree. Police were dispatched to the area of the South Shore Plaza at around 6:30 p.m. for a report of a woman being dragged by a motor vehicle.

Police said the victim was placing purchased items inside her car when a white male jumped out of another vehicle, grabbed the woman's pocketbook and two shopping bags, then got back into the car and fled the scene, according to the police report.