Boston man facing charges after series of thefts from Family Dollar
BOSTON, February 5, 2024 – A Boston man was arraigned last Tuesday in Dorchester BMC after a series of thefts from a Family Dollar store and resisting arrest, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
JORGE GONZALEZ, 30, was charged with unarmed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon (knife), disturbing the peace, resisting arrest, and two counts of assault and battery on a police officer.
Judge Thomas Kaplanes ordered Gonzalez held on $10,000 bail in addition to revoking his bail on his pending cases. Gonzalez is due back in court on February 20 for a probable cause hearing.
Hayden’s office has held several meetings with regional retailer groups and small business owners to discuss safety concerns and to help store managers strategize responses to shoplifting and retail larcenies. The meetings have come amid increasing national and local frustrations around retail crime, along with concerns over the closure of several pharmacies serving minority communities in Boston.
“The retailers we have been meeting with have made clear what they’re seeing in their stores day in and day out. We’re working with them on ideas to enhance safety for everyone, including shoppers and store employees. Shoplifting is hardly a trifling crime, especially when store employees and officers are getting hurt and hardworking business owners—along with the larger communities they service—are being impacted. In Mr. Gonzalez’s case, committing a series of thefts while out on bail for similar offenses is intolerable and we will take the necessary actions to ensure the safety of employees and customers,” Hayden said.
On January 27, Boston police responded to the Family Dollar at 273 Columbia Road to investigate several reports of theft. The store manager told officers the same individual from the reported armed robbery on January 22 and larceny from January 26 was the same person that stole more items earlier that day.
Officers reviewed store video surveillance and observed the suspect, later identified as Gonzalez, wearing all black including a black jacket with the word “Jazz” in white letters and distinct red and white sneakers filling up a backpack and grocery store bag with items. An employee, trying to prevent Gonzalez from leaving by blocking the aisle with a shopping cart, was struck with the cart when Gonzalez kicked it toward the employee before fleeing the store.
Shortly after, while patrolling the area, officers observed an individual matching Gonzalez’s description walking along Columbia Road and Quincy Street. Gonzalez was wearing the same items seen on video, including the black jacket with the white lettering and distinctive red and white sneakers.
As officers approached Gonzalez, he began to run and violently resist, pushing officers away. During the struggle, a large kitchen knife fell from Gonzalez’s body.
Gonzalez is facing charges in three separate cases out of Roxbury BMC, including shoplifting, larceny and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
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