Stealing from a Store is One Thing – Stealing a Store Employee’s Red Jacket While You’re Robbing the Store is Taking it Too Far

At about 10:38am, on Saturday, January 5, 2013, officers from District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) responded to a radio call for a robbery in progress in the area of 1909 Columbus Ave in Roxbury. On arrival, officers spoke to a store employee who stated that a black male entered the market, walked behind the counter and attempted to steal the cash register. Seeing this, the store employee states that he confronted the suspect and a physical altercation ensued. During the altercation, the victim says the cash register fell to the floor. Seeing the register on the floor, the suspect grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the store. However, prior to fleeing the store, the victim says the suspect, who had his shirt ripped off during the altercation, grabbed the victim’s red jacket and took off.

A search of the area for a black male wearing a red jacket enabled officers to locate an individual who matched the description of the suspect. After a brief altercation, officers were able to subdue the suspect. A search of the suspect enabled officers to confirm that the individual was – in fact – wearing the victim’s red jacket and no additional clothing on his upper torso.

Officers arrested a 49 year-old male from Boston and charged him with Unarmed Robbery, Assault & Battery on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.