Somerville Man Charged with Robbing Central Ave Store with Gun

A Somerville man has been indicted and arraigned on charges alleging he robbed three convenience stores using a handgun, including P's Variety on Central Avenue in Medford, prosecutors said.

Michael Wallace, 44, of Somerville, was arraigned Tuesday in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn on three counts of armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, making threats, and four counts of being a habitual offender, according to a press release from district attorney Gerry Leone.  

Middlesex Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan ordered the defendant held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

Wallace was captured after police aired images captured by surveillance cameras on local television.

Wallace allegedly robbed P's Variety on Central Avenue about 3 p.m. on June 14. Wallace, wearing sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt, showed the store clerk a gun and demanded money from the cash and lottery registers, prosecutors said.  The clerk gave him money and Wallace fled the scene, prosecutors said.

Wallace also allegedly committed similar robberies in Somerville on June 6 and Winchester on June 15, and again in Somerville on June 27, prosecutors said.

Police tracked down Wallace after airing images captured on surveillance video was aired on TV. He was arrested June 28 on Grant Street in Somerville, prosecutors said.

A search of the Wallace’s mother’s home and recovered clothing that matched what was worn in the robberies as well as an air gun that resembles the weapon used during the robberies.

He is scheduled to appear in court next on Dec. 12 for a dangerousness hearing.