Holy Moly: Somerville Pair Charged with Stealing Nun's Rosary Beads at Knifepoint

QUINCY, MA — Two Somerville residents robbed a Quincy nun at knifepoint and stole her rosary beads, police said.

Vanessa Young, 26, was arrested and charged with armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), and breaking and entering in the daytime to commit a felony. Crystal Young, 26, was arrested and charged with armed robbery and accessory after the fact, according to the Quincy Police Department.

On Aug. 21 at about 2:05 p.m., police responded to an armed robbery involving a nun at the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth Convent. The victim told police that while she was on Phipps Street in civilian clothing, a female, later identified as Vanessa Young, attempted to take a small satchel out of her left hand. She told Young that she didn't have any money and a small struggle ensued, police said.

At one point, the victim noticed that there was another female standing approximately 5-10 feet behind her looking back and forth as a lookout. The victim said she saw Young display a small knife, with the suspect telling the victim, "I'm not going to hurt you."
While the victim attempted to calm the suspect down, the victim opened her satchel, which contained only rosary beads, a key and a small memento. Young allegedly took the rosary beads, and the victim then fled to the convent.

The victim was able to provide a description of both suspects, with an officer locating the pair exiting the backseat of a vehicle on Phipps Street. Police at the scene searched the suspects and located a small locking knife, six cellphones and a checkbook belonging to a resident of Weymouth. The rosary beads were not located, police said.

Police say three of the cell phones recovered during the investigation were identified as items stolen during a recent house break-in on Water Street.

The victim was able to identify both suspects, as well as the knife that was used in the robbery, police said.

Both suspects were arraigned in Quincy District Court Monday morning. Vanessa Young was ordered held on $5,000 bail and Crystal Young is free on personal recognizance. Both are due back in court on Sept. 13.

Image Credit: Quincy Police Department via WHDH/7-News