Two women charged with robbing Quincy nun of rosary beads at knifepoint

Quincy Police report a nun in civilian clothes was set upon by two women while walking down Phipps Street, near Water Street, around 2:05 p.m. yesterday.

Police say one of the two women tried grabbing the satchel the nun was carrying:

She told the female suspect, now identified as Vanessa Young, that she didn't have any money. A small struggle ensued between the victim and Ms. Young. A one point, the victim noticed that there was another female standing approximately 5-10 feet behind her looking back and forth as a look out. The victim stated she then observed that Ms. Young was holding a small knife. Ms. Young stated to the victim, "I'm not going to hurt you". The victim tried to calm down the suspect down, opened her satchel, and showed Ms. Young the contents of her satchel (rosary beads, a key, and a small momento). Ms. Young told the victim, "I'll guess I'll take the rosary beads". The victim then fled the area and ran back to the convent.

Police say responding officers found two women matching the victim's descriptions:

Officer Parisi, who had arrived on scene to assist Officer Wood, searched the suspects and located a small locking knife, 6 cellphones of various make and models, and a checkbook belonging to a resident of Weymouth, but did not find the rosary beads.

The victim responded to Officer Wood's location and positively identified both suspects, as well as the knife that was used in the robbery.

Vanessa Young, 26, of Somerville, was charged with armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and breaking and entering in the daytime - three of the phones had been reported in a housebreak on Water Street the same day, police say.

Crystal Young, 26, of Somerville, was charged with armed robbery and being an accessory after the fact, police say.

Innocent, etc.