Boston man facing subsequent shoplifting charges after stealing over $1,000 worth of dresses from Saks Fifth Avenue

BOSTON, March 22, 2024 – A Boston man was arraigned Tuesday in BMC Central Division for stealing $1,180 worth of merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue in January, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

PAUL NICHOLSON, 61, was charged with shoplifting by asportation (third offense), and common and notorious thief. Judge Joseph Griffin ordered Nicholson held on $250 bail and to stay away from Saks Fifth Avenue. Nicholson is due back in court on this case and a pending assault case, also out of BMC Central, on April 17.

Nicholson has a 12-page board of probation record dating back to 1981 with numerous similar offenses. Nicholson was convicted of two counts of larceny and two counts of receiving stolen property in June 2022 and received a 120-day sentence.

At about 5:39 pm on January 24, Boston Police responded to Saks Fifth Avenue at 1 Ring Road. Saks security staff informed officers that a man, later identified as Nicholson, had entered the store, grabbed four black Alice and Oliva dresses each valued at $295, and stuffed them inside his jacket. Security staff stopped Nicholson from exiting the store and notified police.

Police arrested Nicholson on the scene and transported him for booking.  At the station Nicholson experienced a medical event and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He was summonsed on the new charges and appeared in court Tuesday.

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.

“We are keenly aware that a relatively small number of offenders commit a disproportionate number of crimes, including store-based crimes. Although the merchandise was recovered here, the incident is indicative of activity that hurts retailers, shoppers and the community itself. This man has been convicted of similar offenses before and will be held accountable for his continued threat to our retail establishments,” 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