MBTA officials warned the public to be on guard after a woman, impersonating a police officer, allegedly robbed another woman at the Alewife T station earlier this week.
At about 7:45 p.m. March 16, a man and a woman were allegedly approached by an unknown woman who asked for cigarettes. As it is illegal to smoke in the lobby, they followed the woman outside to the garage.
She allegedly told them she was a police officer but did not show any ID even though she was asked several times. She then allegedly went through the woman’s handbag and left with a pack of cigarettes and $10 cash.
The victims told officers that it looked like she had something heavy in her pocket and they assumed she could be a cop. No gun or weapon was shown and no one was injured, according to Transit Police Officer Lt. Robert Lenehan. This is the first time a person has impersonated a police officer at Alewife station in recent memory, Lenehan added.
The suspect was described as a light-skinned black female, 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, approximately 30 years, with black braided hair. She was wearing a grey hoodie and a military flight jacket with white sneakers.
After being robbed, the victims alerted transit police and combed the area but did not find the suspect, Lenehan said.
If accosted by unknown people claiming to be cops, victims should ask for IDs and notify police, Lenehan said. They should never follow an unknown person to a secluded place. He also pointed out that it is illegal for people to smoke on T property.
