Man charged for December 2022 robbery and assault in a Theater District pizza shop

BOSTON, May 11, 2023 – A man was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court Central Division for stealing another man’s bag in a downtown pizza shop and then assaulting him, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

JAMES DUBE, 43, of Boston is charged with unarmed assault to rob, assault and battery, and malicious destruction of property under $1,200. Assistant District Attorney David LaJeunesse requested Dube be held on $3,000 bail in addition to bail revocation on six open cases, with conditions he stay away from the victim and the New York Pizza shop.

Judge Steven Key revoked Dube’s bail on all open dockets and imposed the conditions requested. Dube will return to court on June 9 for a probable cause hearing.

At about 9:08 p.m. on December 17, Boston police responded to a radio call for an assault and battery at New York Pizza at 224 Tremont Street. Officers spoke to a female who provided a photo of a man who assaulted her boyfriend as they were leaving the pizzeria. In the photo, the man, later identified as Dube, is seen wearing a gray bandana, blue jeans and a red shirt with a black front-zip jacket and gray vest. The victim, with the assistance of a translating app, told officers Dube approached him and grabbed his bag. The victim grabbed the bag back before Dube punched him, breaking his glasses and causing minor facial swelling. Dube fled the scene before officers arrived.

Police quickly shared Dube’s photo and other officers identified Dube as the same suspect they had just arrested for numerous assault, drug, and larceny offenses and warrants. The clothing in the photo matched the clothing Dube wore while being booked for the arrest made subsequent to the pizza shop assault.

Dube has a lengthy record with numerous unarmed robbery and assault convictions, as well as seven listed aliases.

 “This is the type of attack that inflicts physical and psychological injuries on victims and degrades both the reality and perception of quality of life in our neighborhoods. Revoking this defendant’s bail on pending cases is a perfectly appropriate initial action to help ensure the safety of our communities,” Hayden said.

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.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications