Malden Man Charged with Armed Robbery

BOSTON – A Malden man was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with the armed robbery of a market in Malden on Dec. 12, 2021.

John Schurko, 56, was charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery. Following an initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley, Schurko was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 30, 2021.

It is alleged that on Dec. 12, 2021 at about 8 p.m., Schurko entered the Harvard Market in Malden, displayed what appeared to be a black handgun, went behind the counter and demanded money from the clerk. According to the charging documents, on Dec. 16, 2021, Schurko’s getaway vehicle was located in a hotel parking lot in Medford where he was subsequently arrested. A search of the vehicle recovered, among other things, a black Airsoft gun that resembled a real firearm.

The charge of interference with commerce by robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis; Medford Police Chief Jack Buckley; Billerica Police Chief Daniel Rosa; and Woburn Police Chief Robert F. Rufo Jr. made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.