Two women arrested for 7-11 robbery

LYNN - A female duo was arraigned in court Wednesday for allegedly using a hypodermic needle to stick up a clerk at a Wyoma Square convenience store only hours earlier.

Jessica Ludwig, 25, of 86 Richardson Road, Lynn and Christine A. Bogart, 35, of 57 Bulfinch St., Lynn were arrested and charged with armed robbery while masked and assault with a dangerous weapon (hypodermic needle) in connection with the robbery.

Police were called to 7-Eleven at 3 Lynnfield St. at about 3:30 a.m. after two females allegedly pulled a hypodermic needle on the store clerk.

The victim was working in the back of the store when he noticed two women enter wearing black face masks, police said. He described both suspects as white females between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-8 wearing all black.

He said one of the females approached him in the back of the business waving the needle and said, "Don't look at me," according to police. Meanwhile, the other suspect tried to open the cash register, police said.

The clerk was then forced to lie down as one of the suspects went through his pockets and stole his wallet, containing $70 cash and an identification card, police said.

One suspect had trouble opening the register, so the thieves made the victim get up and open the register as they pointed the needle at the back of his neck, according to police.

After he opened it, the suspects allegedly stole all the money in the drawer, which was about $240, and grabbed several packs of Marlboro menthol cigarettes.

Minutes after they fled, police discovered the robbers ditched most of their black clothing behind a business at 317 Broadway, which is a short distance away from the 7-Eleven.

Also a short distance away, officers found Bogart, who police said fit the description of one of the suspects, standing outside 86 Richardson Road a few minutes after the robbery.

A State Police K-9 officer also traced a scent from the discarded clothes to the area where Bogart was standing, police said.

The store clerk later positively identified Bogart as being one of the robbers, police said.

At about 7:30 a.m., police carried out a search warrant at 86 Richardson Road, the home of Ludwig and her 28-year-old sister, Danielle Ludwig along with several other people, including their mother and an infant.

Danielle began crying and said, "I told them it was a stupid idea. I told them not to do it," according to a police report. "They said they were going to rob 7-Eleven, but I went to bed so I don't know if they did or not."

Police searched the home and found numerous drug paraphernalia along with $112 cash and two packages of Marlboros that police said were stolen from the store.

Both Ludwigs were arrested, but Danielle was only charged with possession of a class A drug, heroin.

Police also found about $100 inside Bogart's bra after she was arrested.

At their arraignments in Lynn District Court, Judge Stacey Fortes-White revoked Bogart's bail because she violated her terms of probation in previous cases. She is due back in court July 15.

Bogart was evaluated by a mental health professional, who testified she has Epilepsy, profound depression and drug addiction issues. She recently lost custody of both her children and the professional said she had been sexually assaulted several times as a youth.

Jessica Ludwig, who was additionally charged with unlawful possession of ammunition after a single bullet was found in her bedroom, was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail. She is due back in court July 31.

Danielle Ludwig was released on personal recognizance. She is due back in court Aug. 26.

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