At about 4:30pm, on Monday, November 29, 2010, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for a break in at St. Leonard’s Church at 14 North Bennet Street. On arrival, officers spoke to church personnel who stated that the church had been broken into the night before. According to church personnel, several poor/donation boxes had been broken into and an undisclosed amount of money taken. Since the break in, the church now empties all donation boxes at the end of the day.
After reviewing video surveillance and chasing down several leads, District A-1 detectives were able to identify the suspect responsible for the break in. Detectives soon arrested Richard Shiner, 44, of Boston in connection with the above robbery.
After the arrest, seizure of evidence and interrogation of Richard Shiner by detectives from A-1, B-2, C-11, and D-4, Shiner has been charged with the following incidents (please see below by Date of Incident, Charge, Address, Name of Church):
Boston Police District A-1 (Downtown)
11/17 B&E 100 Arch St. St. Anthony\’s Church
11/25 B&E 100 Arch St. St. Anthony\’s Church
11/29 B&E 14 North Bennet St. Leonard\’s Church
11/30 B&E 100 Arch St. St. Leonard\’s Church
12/01 Att B&E 100 Arch St. St. Leonard\’s Church
Boston Police District B-2 (Roxbury)
11/22 B&E 1545 Tremont Street Mission Church
11/29 B&E 1545 Tremont Street Mission Church
Boston Police District C-11 (Dorchester)
11/27 B&E 209 Ashmont St. All Saints Church
12/01 B&E 252 Neponset Av St Ann\’s Church
Boston Police District D-4 (South End/Back Bay)
10/11/10 Larceny 15 Union Park St. St John\’s Baptist Church
11/20/10 B&E 1400 Washington St Holy Cross Cathedral
Community Service Officers have been tasked with visiting local churches to assist with prevention efforts. Officers will be meeting with church personnel to provide security tips and techniques for theft prevention.
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.
Fight Crime 100% anonymously.
You can help make your neighborhood safer. If you know anything about the whereabouts of any individuals wanted by police, 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. Your tip is 100% anonymous.