Published in the May 18, 2017 edition
North Reading police officers search the area around the Lucky Mart shortly after an armed robbery was reported there last week. (Al Pereira/Advanced Photo)
NORTH READING – A man accused of an armed robbery at the Lucky Mart on Route 28 last week quickly ran out of luck because of sharp-eyed social media users.
Last Friday morning, North Reading Police reported that an armed robbery occurred at Lucky Mart shortly before 10 a.m., describing the suspect as a heavy-set white male, about 6’2 and wearing a Red Sox hooded sweatshirt. Police posted security camera video footage online showing the entire crime, with a suspect briefly revealing what appears to be a handgun in his waistband under his large sweatshirt.
After posting the information and footage on their social media accounts, North Reading Police reported that they soon received three credible tips from the public. That evening, police announced that an arrest was made, charging 35-year-old town resident Daniel Christie with one count of armed robbery. He was arraigned Monday in Woburn District Court.
“Social media is a very powerful tool, and today our community showed demonstratively that it will not tolerate brazen acts of violence. I am extremely proud of the citizens who came forward and phoned in tips to the North Reading Police Department that directly led to the arrest of a suspect within 12 hours of the incident,” said Police Chief Mike Murphy in a statement.
