Somerville women stole rosary beads from nun in armed robbery: Police

Two Somerville women have been arrested after allegedly robbing a nun at knifepoint, only getting away with herrosary beads.

A Sister at The Daughters of Mary of Nazareth Convent was walking in civilian clothing on Phipps Streetaround 2 p.m. on Sundaywhen a woman approached her and attempted to take a small satchel out of her hand, accordingto Quincy Police.

The nun opened her satchel to show the woman, now identified as Vanessa Young, 26, that she didn’t have any money, to which Young said “I guess I’ll take the rosary beads,” officials said.

The victim noted that another woman, now identified as 26-year-old Crystal Young, stood about 5 to 10 feet behind the two acting as a look out during the incident.

After fleeing back to the convent, the victim provided Quincy Police Officer Ken Wood with a description of the two suspects, who were apprehended moments later.

As the suspects were being searched, officers found a small locking knife, sixcellphones, and a checkbook belonging to a resident of Weymouth, but not the rosary beads.

Police later identifiedthree of the cellphones recovered as having been stolen during a home break-in that occurred around the same time that day on Water Street.

Vanessa Young was held on $5,000 bail on charges ofarmed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of receiving stolen property worth over $250, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s office.

Crystal Young was charged with armed robbery and released on personal recognizance.

Both women are scheduled for probably cause hearings on Sept. 13.