Boston woman charged after attacking employee at Dorchester Dollar Tree

 BOSTON, November 8, 2022 — A Boston woman faces assault and robbery charges for pulling a boxcutter knife on a Dorchester Dollar Tree employee who attempted to stop her from stealing items from the store, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

CHERRY CLAYTON, 52, is charged with armed robbery, assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Dorchester BMC Judge Jonathan Tynes ordered Clayton held in lieu of $2500 bail. Clayton will return to court on December 5 for a probable cause hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Charles Marshall said that on Sunday, November 6, Clayton was observed at the Dollar Tree on Dorchester Avenue attempting to steal merchandise. When the victim, who was working at the time, tried to stop her, Clayton pulled a boxcutter knife from her pocket and attempted to stab the victim. Other employees stepped in to restrain Clayton. Amid the effort to remove the knife from Clayton’s hand Clayton bit the victim. Clayton provided multiple false names to responding officers before they were able to correctly identify her.

“We emphasize non-prosecution or diversion whenever possible, but in violent incidents with the potential for serious injury, such as this case, we need to recognize the threat to public safety and proceed accordingly,” Hayden said.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications