Robber Caught After Leaving Birth Certificate, Note From Mom at Crime Scene

Massachusetts State District Attorney

A Boston robber who snatched a woman's wallet in a schoolyard was handily caught by police after he left his birth certificate and a note from his mother at the scene of the crime.

Zachary Tentoni, 26, of Southington, Conn., was arrested on charges of unarmed robbery on Monday. The alleged robbery victim told police that she had exited the Fields Corner T station in Dorchester and was walking through the schoolyard of Harbor Middle School when a man approached her from behind.

Tentoni allegedly then grabbed her clutch wallet, which contained her ID and $40 in cash. In the process, he dropped two bags he was carrying, which contained clothes, hygiene products and a pair of sneakers.

At the top of his bag was his birth certificate, which identified a Zachary Tentoni, born in 1987, and a letter to him sent by his mother, police said.

Hours later, police were able to apprehend a man matching the description the victim gave police a block away from where the robbery took place. When officers asked the suspect for his name and date of birth, he replied, "John Foisy from Connecticut, and date of birth of June 16, 1993," according to police.

Tentoni was eventually positively identified by the victim.

"That's what he looked like. His build and clothing description was of that man," she told police.

Calls placed to an attorney for Tentoni were not immediately returned.

Tentoni was arraigned Wednesday in Dorchester District Court on one count of unarmed robbery. Prosecutors requested $10,000 cash bail, and bail was set at $500.