Downtown Crossing armed robbery suspect held on $25,000 bail

BOSTON, September 30, 2022 — A Dorchester man charged with a midday Downtown Crossing armed robbery was ordered held in lieu of $25,000 bail after being arraigned in Central Division of Boston Municipal Court today, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

ALEX PHILOGENE, 26, is charged with armed robbery.  Judge Eleanor Sinnott set $25,000 bail on the new charges and revoked Philogene’s bail on existing charges, including assault and battery of a correctional officer.  Philogene will return to court October 14 for a pre-trial conference.

Assistant District Attorney Brianna Callahan said that at about 4:50 pm on Thursday, Sept. 22, Boston police responded to a radio call at Washington and Winter streets in Downtown Crossing.  The victim told officers that a man brandishing a small handgun approached him as he was entering the Corner Mall.  The man took the victim’s bag, which included cash, tattoo equipment, clothing, cigarettes and various prescription medicines.

Officers were able to observe the incident on surveillance footage and distributed photos of the suspect via department email.  Officers soon spotted a person matching the photos on Tremont Street.  The officers arrested Philogene after the victim identified him from a photo array.

Police recovered a knife from Philogene. 

“This armed robbery occurred in broad daylight at one of the busiest areas of the city.  But no matter where it occurred, it’s the type of brazen crime that impacts not just the immediate victim, but the entire community,” Hayden said.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications