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MBTA bus robbery foiled by nearby Boston police officer

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – A Roxbury man was arraigned Friday for allegedly stealing a fellow MBTA passenger's shopping bag only to be stopped by a nearby Boston police officer.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Richard Williams, 58, was arraigned on a single count of unarmed robbery. He was released on his own recognizance.

Prosecutors said Williams boarded a Route 23 bus at Dudley Station at about 3 p.m. Thursday. When the bus made a stop at 75 Malcolm X Blvd., Williams forcefully grabbed a shopping bag from a 44-year-old Dorchester woman also on the bus.

However, as Williams attempted to flee on foot, a nearby officer heard the victim's scream for help and stopped Williams right across the street from the bus stop, prosecutors said.

The victim's shopping bag allegedly contained a Z Galaxy 10.1 tablet, cash, and two debit or credit cards.

Williams will return to court on August 7.