Roxbury Woman Arraigned for Armed Robbery
BOSTON, August 12, 2022 — A Roxbury woman who initially claimed to be the victim of an armed robbery at her retail cannabis workplace was arraigned yesterday on charges she participated in the gunpoint robbery, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
JESSICA LUGO, 27, was arraigned yesterday in the Dorchester Division of Boston Municipal Court on a charge of armed robbery. Judge Thomas S. Kaplanes imposed a $5,000 cash bail for the defendant, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
On Monday, Boston Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at 4 Corners Cannabiz on Washington St. in Dorchester. An employee, who was hired under the name Neveah Monroe, reported that two men had held her at gunpoint as they robbed the store.
The investigation revealed that Neveah Monroe is actually Lugo, who had used the assumed name recently to obtain employment at the business. On the day of the robbery, security footage captured two men entering the store with guns drawn, then retreating after Lugo was observed and heard on security camera gesturing to the assailants. At the time, other individuals were in the store. Lugo did not call police regarding the armed individuals.
Approximately 35 minutes later, the armed robbers returned. This time, they moved through the store in a manner suggesting that they had inside knowledge of where product was stored and where to access the cash register.
The men stole cash and merchandise with a combined value of more than $27,000.
Lugo failed to appear for her scheduled shift at the store on Tuesday and made statements to store management that she no longer wanted the job. Management arranged to meet with Lugo on Wednesday to provide her final paycheck. She was instead met by police. Investigators observed that Lugo had changed her hair color from blonde to black in the two days since the armed robbery. Following an interview with police, Lugo was placed under arrest.
The other suspects involved in the robbery are still being sought.
“This scheme unraveled pretty quickly amid solid investigative work and cooperation from store management. This was not a mere crime of opportunity. This armed robbery was planned and executed in a manner that had the potential to place other employees, customers and community members at risk,” Hayden said.
Lugo returns to court on September 9. She is represented by Attorney Robert Zanello.
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 legal 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.