Jul 9, 2009 5:49 pm US/Eastern
Suspect In Blind Man Robbery Is Schizophrenic
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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A surveillance camera captured the robbery and assault inside a Sovereign Bank ATM June 20.
WBZ
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Police say Jerome Tate is the man wearing a hat in this surveillance image.
WBZ
A West Roxbury man charged with robbing a blind man was ordered held on $10,000 bail Thursday.
47-year-old Jerome Tate was arraigned this morning in West Roxbury District Court.
Prosecutors say he attacked a 59-year-old blind man inside an ATM at the Sovereign Bank on Centre Street June 20.
"He put his arm around my neck and began to choke me," Doug Dawes said. "I can remember that arm was like a vice around my neck."
Dawes told police he was trying to withdraw $50 when Tate pulled a knife and shouted, "Give me the money or I will stick you."
Surveillance video shows the thief putting the blind man in a headlock before taking his wallet and running away.
"As I was on the floor my faculties came back, and I realized he'd taken my wallet," Dawes said.
Police say they caught Tate on camera again when he tried to use the victim's ATM card.
Investigators say he has a history of robberies in the area.
His attorney said Tate lives in a psychiatric group home and has suffered from
schizophrenia for 15 years.
Tate's sister, Evelyn Tate, confirmed that to WBZ and claimed he's not a violent person, despite what happened in the video.
"It's a shame. It's sad that it did come to where it's at," she said.
"I now understand he has mental disabilities, which would be even more reason why he wouldn't reason soundly," Dawes said.
Tate is being held on bail and is undergoing extensive psychiatric evaluation.
Police say they were aware of Tate's mental illness and that he has a long history of petty crimes.
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