Commercial Robbery Statistics

BOSTON POLICE REPORT SLIGHT INCREASE IN COMMERCIAL ROBBERIES
Officers Work Closely with Store Owners and other Local Law Enforcement Partners

The Boston Police Department reports that there were CORRECTION: five (earlier post indicated seven) more incidents of commercial robbery reported in 2009 than 2008 resulting in a 2% increase. Six police districts reported a decline in incidents, while four police districts indicated an increase.

The Boston Police Department is working closely with the BRIC (intelligence center), other local law enforcement partners and local store owners to maximize public safety efforts in this area.

The department has increased visibility in identified areas. Officers have been meeting with local store owners to provide security tips and techniques to enhance safety at their locations. The department has been aggressively disseminating surveillance images and information to encourage the assistance of community members. Officers will also be going door-to-door in identified neighborhoods with CrimeStoppers information and surveillance images to obtain any additional information.

Safety Tips for Store Owners:
• Review your security systems for effectiveness
• Remove all obstructions from windows and counter tops
• Be sure you are capturing efficient security video
• Place a measurement tape near the doorways in a location that can easily assess suspect height on video
• Comply with suspect’s demands
• Concentrate on getting good physical description of the assailants
• Immediately call 911 as soon as the robbery occurs

Contact Information:
The Boston Police Department urges any community members with information regarding commercial robberies to call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is interested only in your information, not your identity.

Statistical Information:
The Commercial Robbery category includes convenience stores, gas stations, pharmacies, restaurants etc.

THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT REACHES 10,000 FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER

The Boston Police Department (BPD) is pleased to announce that our twitter feed has officially reached 10,000 direct followers. The BPD is one of the first police departments in the country to make use of this latest social media sensation. Twitter gives our community members the opportunity to sign up and receive frequent tweets on important public safety information ranging from road closures to motor vehicle accidents and much more.

Twitter is part of the BPD Virtual Community, which is our network of outreach methods to provide timely and important crime information to our residents, business owners, and individuals who take an interest in our neighborhoods. The BPD Virtual Community is intended to be a one stop source for public safety news and community alert information.

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis stated, “The Boston Police Department has been a pioneer in utilizing new technology to enhance our community policing efforts and empowering our residents by keeping them informed. It is encouraging news that our Twitter feed now has 10,000 community followers, and with re-tweeting can reach hundreds of thousands of people with crime alerts and requests for information – easily the most popular and effective police department Twitter feed in the US.”

The following features are also part of our virtual community located at BPDNews.com:

• www.crimereports.com – This helpful crime-mapping tool allows community members to visit a user-friendly website and quickly access public safety information specific to the selected neighborhood.

• Citizenobserver – This community e-alert system allows residents to sign up to receive texts and emails from their local district on important public safety information and alerts distributed by their district Community Service Officer.

• Neighbors for Neighbors.com – This is a local neighborhood-based social networking site for people to connect and organize around common interests

• Twitter – The BPD is one of the first police departments in the country to make use of the latest social media sensation, Twitter. Here community members can sign up to receive frequent tweets on important public safety information ranging from road closures to motor vehicle accidents and much more.

• Text-A-Tip – The Boston Police is the first police department in the country to utilize text messaging to allow community members to send information anonymously to our CrimeStoppers Unit.

• Call The Cops – This is the department’s weekly cable show where we strive to use that time to offer community members safety tips and a recap of weekly events. We also try to use this opportunity to personalize a specific unit within the department for people at home. In other words, we might do a “Meet the Harbor Patrol” segment or something on a K-9 officer – what it takes and how you become one, etc.

The community will continue to see enhancements and updates to the BPD Virtual Community located at www.BPDNews.com that will reflect our commitment to using technology to inform the citizens of Boston, to enhance communication at the District and neighborhood level and to extend our efforts to use new technology to promote and implement our mission of community policing.

POLICE NAB TWO ARMED ROBBERS

At approximately 10:30pm on January 5, 2009, members of the Youth Violence Strike Force responded to a radio broadcast for an armed robbery in progress, involving a hand gun located at 252 West Newton St, the 7-11 Convenience Store.

Responding units were updated that the suspect displayed a hand gun and robbed the clerk of an undetermined amount of US currency. The suspect was described as a Black male wearing a red shirt, who fled into a black Lincoln Town Car that drove on St Botolph St. towards Mass Ave in an unknown direction. Officers canvassed the area and observed a black Lincoln Town Car located at the intersection of Huntington Ave and South Huntington Ave. Officers notified BPD operations that a black Lincoln Town Car was observed on South Huntington St and that was possibly the suspect vehicle involved in an armed robbery in Area D4. Officers activated their emergency blue lights in their BPD unmarked vehicle and initiated a motor vehicle stop on South Huntington Street by Perkins Street. The suspect vehicle initially stopped for officers but then sped off on South Huntington St. toward Centre St. Officers radioed BPD operations that the suspect vehicle had fled and were then assisted by a marked BPD police cruiser.

Without any regard for public safety, the suspect vehicle turned left onto Centre St, onto Boylston St, left onto Chestnut St, left onto Mozart St, left onto Centre St, right onto Gayhead St, left onto Mindon St, right onto Schiller St, right onto Heath St, left onto Parker St, left onto Ruggles St, across Huntington Ave, straight towards Park Drive crossing the intersection of Brookline/Boylston Street continuing towards Audubon Circle. The suspect vehicle then turned right on Beacon Street and continued into Kenmore Square straight onto Commonwealth Ave turning left onto Kenmore Street towards Bay State Road. The suspect vehicle continued on Bay State Drive where it attempted to turn right onto Commonwealth Ave. As the suspect vehicle approached a red light at the intersection of Bay State Road and Commonwealth Avenue, it attempted to evade officers by driving onto the side walk around a car that was waiting at the red light.

Mass State Police observed the actions of the suspect vehicle and in fear of the vehicle waiting at the red light and pedestrians in the immediate area, pinned the suspect vehicle with his department cruiser. At that time the suspect vehicle struck a light pole located at the corner of Bay State Rd and Commonwealth Ave.

Officers pulled along side of the suspect vehicle and then exited their cruiser with their department-issued weapons drawn due to the nature of the crime. Both suspects were placed into custody.

Officers observed black colored hand gun handle sticking out from underneath the front passenger seat, which was determined to be a replica.

A witness was then able to identify Jeremy Williams, 29, of Dorchester as the suspect who displayed the hand gun and demanded money. Williams was placed under arrest and charged with Armed Robbery (hand gun).

A second suspect and operator of the motor vehicle, Juan Pimental, 29, of Revere, was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, Rec Stolen MV, Refusal to Stop and Driving to Endanger. Suspect Pimentel was also issued a Citation for failure to stop P/O and a Citation for Attaching Plates by the Mass State Police.

MOST WANTED:

Boston Police Seek Public’s Assistance in Locating Suspect Wanted for Attempted Armed Robbery in South Boston

At about 11:53am, on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, an officer performing a paid detail was approached by a female who stated that a guy had just attempted to rob her. According to the victim, she was walking down Dorchester Street when the suspect approached her from behind, showed a knife and stated, “Give me your purse.” The victim says at this point, she was able to break away from the suspect and get away without surrendering any of her property. Witnesses were able to identify the suspect as Joseph Pano, 36, of Boston. A warrant has been issued charging the suspect with Assault with the Intent to Rob, Assault By Means of a Dangerous Weapon and Assault & Battery. The suspect is described as 5’8” white male in his 30’s with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a thin build.

Anyone with information relative to the suspect’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Area C-6 detectives at (617) 343-4742.

Community members who wish to assist this investigation anonymously can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is interested only in your information, not your identity.

CITIZEN ALERT FROM D-14

BOSTON POLICE INVESTIGATE RECENT COMMERCIAL ROBBERIES IN BRIGHTON
Officers Host Community Meeting with Local Store Owners
Investigators Release Surveillance Images

Last evening Boston Police District D-14 hosted a meeting with local store owners to discuss information related to the investigation of recent commercial robberies. Store owners were provided information on the investigation as well as important safety tips to enhance store security.

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the following incidents which detectives believe are possible related. Surveillance images are provided and anyone with information is encouraged to contact authorities.

Overview: Since 12/9/09, a series of armed robberies have occurred on D14, five of the robberies appear to be the same suspects. The following is a summary of the incidents:

Incident Descriptions:
 On 12/9/09 @ 8:57 PM, the Quality Market at 140 N. Beacon Street was robbed by a W/M about 20 years old, 6’02” wearing a mask, showed a black handgun with orange around it. Video showed a second suspect, wearing a mask waiting outside.
 12/24/09 @ 1:58 AM, the Tedeschi’s at 241 Market Street was robbed by an unknown male, 5’08”, 160 lbs, black mask, and a W/M 5’09”, 160 lbs, red scarf, pointed a silver firearm at the clerk, placed a backpack on the table and demanded cash. One suspect propped the door open during the robbery.
 12/26/09 @ 3:05 AM, Tedeschi’s at 241 Market Street, was robbed by a light skinned B/M about 20 years old, a second suspect was waiting outside. Suspect showed a black firearm, tossed a bag over the counter and demanded cash, also demanded the clerk open the safe. The suspect also took Newport Cigarettes.
 12/28/09 @ 5:50 PM, the Quality Market at 140 N. Beacon Street was robbed by a B/M 6’03”, slim build and a W/H/M 5’10”, medium build. The clerk was pistol whipped by a black firearm. The W/H male showed a silver firearm, and robbed a customer inside of the store.
 12/28/09 @ 6:12 PM, the Brooks Variety Store at 32 Brooks St. was robbed by an unknown male 5’05” dark ski mask, dark jacket, dark pants. The suspect displayed a dark revolver to the clerk, then placed a backpack on the counter and demanded cash. There was a second suspect waiting outside of the door.

Safety Tips for Store Owners:
• Review your security systems for effectiveness
• Remove all obstructions from windows and counter tops
• Be sure you are capturing efficient security video
• Place a measurement tape near the doorways in a location that can easily assess suspect height on video
• Comply with suspects demands
• Concentrate on getting good physical description of the assailants
• Immediately call 911 as soon as the robbery occurs

Contact Information:
The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact the D-14 detectives at (617) 343-4256.
Community members who wish to assist this investigation in an anonymous manner can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is interested only in your information, not your identity.

Surveillance Images:

12/24/09
241 Market Street

12/26/09
241 Market Street

12/26/09
241 Market Street