Man Arraigned for Unarmed Robbery at Boston Store

BOSTON, April 14, 2022— A man with a lengthy history of larceny and shoplifting convictions was arraigned Tuesday on charges he assaulted a store employee while fleeing with more than $500 worth of stolen merchandise, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

ERICK CASEY, 39, was arraigned in the Central Division of Boston Municipal Court on a charge of unarmed robbery in connection with an offense committed January 25, 2022.  Prosecutors requested bail of $500, citing Casey’s history of defaults in prior cases.  At the time of this week’s arraignment, Casey was also subject to default warrants in multiple pending cases in Middlesex County, including those charging larceny, shoplifting, and unlawful possession of a theft detection shielding device.  Prosecutors also moved to revoke his bail in pending cases.  Those cases include a 2022 case out of the South Boston Division of BMC charging assault with a dangerous weapons (knife), a 2021 case out of the Brighton Division of BMC for possession of burglarious instruments, and a case out of the Central Division of BMC charging possession of burglarious instruments and receiving stolen property under $1,200. 

Judge Maureen Flaherty imposed bail of $250 and revoked Casey’s open bails. Casey has more than 100 entries on his criminal record, ranging from shoplifting and robbery to breaking and entering and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

“We have no interest in dragging someone into the criminal legal system when services or treatment would achieve a better outcome, and I am committed to expanding opportunities for diversion and access to services.  However, when an individual has shown that they are willing to commit the same offense over and over again without concern for the consequences, or for the safety of others, we must take a different approach to ensure accountability,” Hayden said. “Suffolk prosecutors must use their discretion to determine the most appropriate and effective approach based on a review not only of the charged offenses, but on the full facts of the case and the person before the court. Here, moving forward with prosecution is in the public interest due to the risk this individual’s actions create for the business community and other members of the public.”

Prosecutors told the court that Boston Police responded to a Newbury Street store on the afternoon of January 25, where a staff member observed a man place approximately $560 worth of merchandise into a shopping bag.  When the employee acknowledged the man’s actions, he pushed the employee and fled the store.  Responding officers observed a man in the area fitting the individual’s description, whom they approached in identified as Casey.  He was not placed under arrest at that time.

Three days later, on January 28, Casey entered the same store and allegedly attempting to steal additional items.  When confronted, he put the items down and left the store.  The victim of the January 25 assault identified Casey as the individual.

Casey returns to court April 20.

 James Borghesani, Chief of Communications

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.