Pair Charged After Malden-Area Armed Robbery Arrests

MALDEN, MA — Court filings this week detailed formal charges against a duo recently arrested in connection with what police said were a string of convenience store armed robberies in Malden and Everett.

The robberies, police said, spanned more than eight months before law enforcement personnel moved in to arrest George Johnson and Marie McCallum on Wednesday night.

Police announced arrests on Wednesday, moments after police reports said officers working through an “ad-hoc” task force of State Police, local police and FBI agents confronted Johnson outside the N&B Market on Highland Avenue in Malden.

Officers in their reports described at least five robberies that they said McCallum and Johnson were involved in before their arrest this week.

Police shared estimates from store employees interviewed in their investigation, who said thieves in these robberies may have taken a combined total of more than $6,400.

The first incident noted in police reports in this case took place back in February, when police said officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at L&M Convenience on Ferry Street.

Another incident came in April, before three robberies this month, according to police.

Police shared aspects of their investigation, which they said included an interview with McCallum in March after they first identified her as a suspect in the February L&M Convenience robbery.

Investigations ultimately led to Highland Avenue this week, where police said officers followed McCallum and Johnson on what they believed may have been another robbery attempt.

Two officers said they drew their guns during Johnson’s arrest. Multiple officers said a State Trooper on the scene with them then took Johnson to the ground, where police handcuffed him.

Officers said they saw a large knife fall away from Johnson during the arrest.

Police said they later arrested McCallum without incident.

One officer said Johnson suffered a “small scratch” over his right eye during the arrest.

McCallum was arraigned in Malden District Court on Thursday. Johnson was due to be arraigned on Friday, according to NBC Boston.

Johnson’s attorney declined to comment on this case when contacted by Patch on Friday.

Patch has reached out to McCallum’s lawyer and will update with any comment provided. McCallum previously declined to comment on charges against her while exiting Malden District Court on Thursday, according to WCVB.