PUBLIC SAFETY NOTIFICATION: Armed Robbery Pattern

Overview: Between April 17th and June 26th, sixteen commercial robbery incidents have taken place and that could potentially be related. Investigators are looking into the possibility of one or maybe two black male suspects, who range in age from 30-40. In addition, various suspect heights have been reported ranging from 5’5” to 6’0”.The suspects similarly described in appearance and motives have robbed eight businesses all at knifepoint. The suspect(s) has been known to order the clerks to the floor.
Seven incidents took place on District D-4 (Back Bay/South End), eight on District A-1 (Downtown), and one on District B-2 (Roxbury). All of the incidents have taken place between 2:30 AM and 7:10 PM.
Area detectives are actively investigating these incidents. Districts will also increase patrols. Community members are urged to contact 911 to report any suspicious activity. The similarities in the incidents include: Made the clerk get down on floor; Robbed at Knifepoint; Wearing baseball cap (two incidents); Stole money from registers; Displayed a firearm (four incident) and displayed a shotgun (four incidents).
Incident Details:
D4 – On 04/17/2007 at 7:10 PM, The suspect walked into Lindt Chocolate Shop at 704 Boylston St. and pulled out a knife and told the employee to open the registers, and told witnesses to sit on the floor. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’6” to 5’8” with a thin build, 30-35 years of age.
A1 – On 04/24/2007 at 6:30 PM, The suspect walked into the Ben & Jerry’s at 20 Park Plaza and pulled out a knife and told the employee to open the register, he took all the cash from the register. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’9” with a thin build, 40 years of age.
D4 – On 04/29/2007 at 2:15 PM, The suspect walked into Emack and Boulios at 201 Brookline Ave. and pulled out a knife and told the employee to sit on the floor, and took money from the register. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’5” with a slim build, around 30 years of age.
D4 – On 05/04/2007 at 1:25 PM, The suspect walked into Bon Bon at 197 Mass Ave. and pulled out a knife and told the employee to get on the floor, he took all the cash from the register and took the cell phone from the employee. The suspect then fled the store. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’7” with a thin build. The knife is described as a hunting style knife.
A1 – On 05/06/2007 at 5:45 PM, The suspect walked into the gift shop at the New England Medical Center and pulled out a knife and told the employees to get on the floor, he took all the cash from the register. He then forced the employees into the back room, told them to lie on the floor, took cash from another register, and took the cell phones from the employees. The suspect then fled the store. The suspect is described as a black male, with a thin build.
D4 – On 5/9/07 at 1:14 PM, Truly Jorg’s Pattiserie located at 514 Commonwealth Ave. was robbed. A black male (age 30, 5’07”, medium build; wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses) demanded money at gunpoint and assaulted the female clerk. The suspect fled toward the Fenway Park area.
A1 – On 05/12/2007 at 11:38 AM, the suspect went into Papyrus at 28 Tremont St, and he waited for the other customers to leave the store. Once the customers left, he pulled out a knife and told the victims to open the register. He made them hand him the cash from the register. The suspect then forced the employees to open the safe, they did so and he then forced them to go into the bathroom. The suspect then took money from the safe and fled. The suspect is described as a black male, about 40 years of age, bald, about 5’8” with a medium build.
A1 – On 5/17/07 at 10:25 AM, a black male suspect (6’00”, medium build, wearing a gray denim jacket, and a baseball cap) robbed the Vitamin Shoppe, located at 268 Washington St. The suspect ordered the clerk to the floor, stole cash from the registers, and ordered the clerk to stay on the floor for five minutes as he fled toward Congress St. The suspect did not display a weapon; however, he held his hand in his pocket as though he had a weapon.
B2 – On 05/29/2007 at 6:07 PM, the Patriot News at 350 Longwood Ave was robbed. The suspect entered the store and asked to purchase cigarettes. Once the clerk was distracted he pulled out a silver handgun and told the clerk to sit on the floor. He then took cash from the register and fled.
D4 – On 06/06/2007 at 4:55 PM, the suspect walked into All Things Chocolate at 31 St. James Ave. The suspect approached the clerk and told her that this is a robbery, and made her stand away from the register. He then took the cash from the register hand, told the clerk to sit in the office and then fled. The suspect is described as a black male, 40 years of age, 5’6”, 150 lbs, with a slim build. The suspect never showed a weapon but held his side as if he had one.
D4 – On 06/16/2007 at 2:30 AM, There was a robbery at the Midtown Hotel on 220 Huntington Ave. The suspect walked into the lobby and pulled out a gun and forced the clerks into a back room. He then took cash from the cash register drawers. The suspect was a black male, and had a bandana on his face.
A1 – On 06/20/2007 at 6:45 PM, the suspect walked into the Sarni’s Cleaners at 175 Cambridge St and pulled out a sawed-off shotgun from his bag. He then ordered the employees to open the register and then lie on the floor. He then stole the cash and fled. The suspect is described as a black male, about 35 years of age, 5’6” with a thin build.
A1 – On 06/21/2007 at 6:13 PM, the store Papyrus at 107 Summer St. was robbed. The suspect came in and looked around at items, and then approached both clerks as they were behind the counter. He displayed a sawed off shotgun that was inside of a courier bag. He then demanded that they open the register and then turn around and face the wall. He took the cash from the register and then fled the store.
A1 – On 06/24/2007 at 12:50 PM, Yankee Candle store at Faneuil Hall was robbed. The suspect displayed what appeared to be a shotgun inside of a messenger bag. He told the clerks to open the register and then told them to lie down on the floor. He then stole cash and fled the scene.
D4 – On 06/24/2007 at 4:15 PM, the Tall Girl clothing store at 211 Berkeley St. was robbed. The suspect walked in wearing a grey bandana as a mask. He displayed what appeared to be a shotgun inside of a messenger bag. He told the clerks to open the register and then told them to lie down on the floor. He then stole cash and fled the scene.
A1 – On 06/26/2007 at 6:00 PM, the Copley Fair Gift Shop at 176 Federal St. was robbed. The suspect entered the store and showed a firearm. He ordered the employees to open the registers, and then sit on the floor of the backroom. He took the cash from the registers and fled. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’8”, slim build.
Investigators believe that there may be two suspects acting either independently or together in the robberies.
TIPS FROM THE BPD
WHAT TO DO DURING A ROBBERY:
To reduce the risk of injury, COMPLY WITH THE ROBBER’S DEMANDS. Make a mental note of as much descriptive information as possible.
What to look for:
· Facial Features
· Clothing & Jewelry
· Skin, Hair & Eye Color
· Age, Height, Weight, Sex
· Scars, Tattoos, Marks
· Speech, Accents
WHAT TO DO AFTER A ROBBERY
Do Not Chase the Robber!
Observe & Remember:
· Direction of travel
· License plate number
· Type & Color of vehicle
· Type of Weapon displayed
· Do not keep large amounts of money in the register
· Be aware of suspicious individuals loitering around your business
CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY