Boston man charged with armed robbery from Downtown Crossing DSW store

BOSTON, October 24, 2022 — A Boston man was arraigned on armed robbery charges Friday after stealing sneakers from a DSW while holding a knife, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

JASON JOHNSON, 41, was arraigned on one count of armed robbery at the Boston Municipal Court Central Division. Judge Paul Treseler ordered Johnson held on $1,000 bail and ordered him to stay away from the store.  Johnson is scheduled to return to court November 15 for a probable cause hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Morgan said on September 29, officers responded to a report of a person with a knife at DSW on Washington St. It was reported that the suspect was stealing a pair of shoes from the store with a knife in his hand. At around 7:30 pm the suspect, later identified as Johnson, entered the store and started to rummage through boxes. When he entered the store buzzer went off indicating that he had stolen items from another store. Staff noticed Johnson place a pair of black Adidas sneakers on his feet, leaving the box on the ground. When approached by the store manager, he stated “I don’t have to pay for these.” He then pulled a knife from his backpack and began throwing items around.

While reviewing surveillance video footage, detectives observed Johnson approaching the escalator with his right arm extended to his side and a metallic instrument in his hand. Johnson out of the store without paying for $269.98 worth of merchandise. On October 6 employees identified Johnson via a photo array.

James Borghesani, Chief of communications