Boston man charged with Downtown Crossing armed robbery held for 90 days

BOSTON, November 2, 2022 — A Boston man with a lengthy criminal history was arraigned yesterday on charges that he attempted to steal purses at Macy’s in Downtown Crossing in September and threatened store employees with a knife when he was confronted, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

LITTLE MACKLIN, 51, is charged with armed robbery. Central Division BMC Judge Richard Sinnott ordered Macklin held for 90 days with bail set at the end of revocation. Macklin will appear in court on November 30 for a probable cause hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Samuel Jones said that on Saturday September 24, Macklin attempted to steal $556 worth of handbags from Macy’s. When confronted by loss prevention officers, Macklin brandished a knife before dropping the merchandise and fleeing from the store. 

Store employees identified Macklin via a photo array, and Boston police sought an arrest warrant.  Macklin was arrested Monday.  

Macklin has a 24-page arrest record going back to 1988.  He has open cases in Norfolk County that include assault with a deadly weapon, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and assault and battery on a family/household member, assault and battery on a police officer and breaking and entering in the nighttime. 

“This isn’t a simple case of shoplifting.  This is a repeat offender with a violent history and he poses a direct threat to our businesses and our neighborhoods,” Hayden said.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications