A man armed with a fake machine pistol is accused of robbing six women in a Southwest Baltimore church yesterday. He was caught outside the building by a state correctional officer, a police spokeswoman said.

Agent Angelique Cook-Hayes, the spokeswoman, said the weapon was a toy model of an Uzi machine pistol.

Cook-Hayes said Correctional Officer Eric Lamont Page was in the 2100 block of N. Ellamont St. about 10: 30 a.m. when he saw a man enter First John Tabernacle Baptist Church armed with what appeared to be an Uzi.

She said Page became suspicious and waited outside the church.

Minutes later, a man carrying six purses and the "weapon" came out of the church and was grabbed by Page, who held him for police, Cook-Hayes said.

She said the man allegedly robbed six women, who were among at least 25 worshipers. It was not known if services were in progress at the time.

Cook-Hayes said Michael Wilson, 46, of the 1600 block of N. Hilton St. was charged with six counts of armed robbery and was being held at the Central Booking and Intake Center, pending a bail hearing today.

Pub Date: 10/26/98