T worker tackles robbery suspect at Maverick, holds him for police

Snellman and GrisoliaAn MBTA inspector who saw a Watertown man mug a woman about to get on the train at Maverick last night didn't let the guy leave the station, MBTA Transit Police say.

According to a police report, Inspector Ira Lawrence was in the customer-service booth at the Blue Line station around 11:20 p.m. when he noticed Sean Snellman hand a guitar and bag to Brittney Grisolia, then run toward a woman and grab one of the two purses she was carrying:

Lawrence saw Snellman drop the purse, pick it up and again try to flee the station. At this time Lawrence gave chase and was able to place Snellman on the ground and detain him until we arrived.

Meanwhile, MBTA Customer Service Agent Christine Cochran noticed Grisolia trying to leave the station by getting on another train, but she grabbed her and moved her over to where Lawrence and Snellman were, to await police, according to the report.

When police arrived, they discovered both Snellman and Grisolia were packing knives in their front pockets - and that the bag Snellman had handed Grisolia contained 15 hypodermic needles. The report adds:

Snellman was screaming and threatening everyone and was attempting to flee.

Both were handcuffed and charged with armed robbery, the report says, adding Snellman was also wanted on a Cambridge warrant for threats to commit a crime

Innocent, etc.