Juvenile Arraigned in Connection with Cambridge Assault

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville Bard Jr. have announced that Isaias De La Rosa, 16, of Cambridge, was arraigned today in Cambridge Juvenile Court as a youthful offender in connection with an alleged July 13, 2019 physical assault of a woman in Cambridge.

De La Rosa was charged with armed assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, mayhem, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. The defendant was ordered held without bail. The next scheduled hearing in this case is October 23.

On Saturday, July 13, 2019, at approximately 10:40 p.m., the victim, a female in her early thirties, was walking home from the Kendall Square MBTA station to her apartment. While walking on the Loughrey Walkway, the victim was talking on her cellphone when she observed a young male, who was not known to her, on a BMX-style bicycle on the path behind her. She moved over to allow him to pass. The male set his bicycle down and approached the victim from behind, allegedly striking her in the back of the head with an unknown sharp object.

Hearing her scream, the man she had been having a conversation with over the phone dialed Cambridge Police who arrived moments later. Upon arrival authorities observed the victim who had been knocked completely unconscious. The victim’s left eye was swollen shut and she had visible lacerations on her face, both over her eye and on her forehead. The victim was transported to an area hospital in serious condition.  The victim underwent multiple surgeries and has subsequently permanently lost vision in her left eye.

At approximately 11:38 p.m. authorities located surveillance footage allegedly showing the defendant following the victim and the defendant fleeing on his bicycle with the victim’s purse following the assault. At approximately 11:45 p.m., a Cambridge Police officer observed the defendant in the vicinity of the alleged assault and recognized him from the surveillance video footage.

The defendant was arraigned in Cambridge Juvenile Court on July 15, 2019 and indicted as a youthful offender on September 19, 2019.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Gemmill.

With the exception of youthful offenders, juvenile proceedings are closed to the public.