Boston man charged with snatching purses while on probation, GPS monitoring
BOSTON, April 18, 2025 – A Boston man on probation after receiving a split sentence for a string of car break-ins and vandalism is now facing new charges after police identified him in two separate purse snatching incidents, one resulting in a woman falling to the ground and seeking medical attention, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
JUSTIN CATERSON, 33, was arraigned on one count of unarmed robbery and assault and battery on a person over 60 in BMC Central Thursday. Judge Paul Treseler ordered Caterson held on $5,000 bail.
Caterson, who pleaded guilty in May of last year to a string of car break-ins and vandalism in Jamaica Plain, received a six-month House of Correction sentence followed by two years probation. A probation warrant has been issued for violating his conditions of release.
At about 8:46 p.m. on February 22, Boston police responded to the Tufts Medical Center emergency department and met with the victim’s son, who reported his mother had been robbed and had received medical attention due to head pain.
The victim reported waiting at the MBTA Silver Line bus stop at Washington Street and William E Mullins Way when an unknown male grabbed her purse and fled the area. The victim reported her IDs, cards, keychain, and approximately $600-$700 in cash were stolen.
Investigators reviewed video surveillance from the surrounding area showing two males passing the victim at the bus stop, then returning. One male is observed grabbing the victim’s purse. The victim then falls to the ground.
Stills from the video were disseminated to officers in the area. Investigators identified the unknown male in the photos as Caterson, who was subsequently arrested on February 25, for a purse snatching at East Berkley Street and Harrison Avenue. Caterson appeared to be wearing the same clothing and a GPS monitoring bracelet in both incidents.
Based on video footage and GPS data placing Caterson in the immediate area during the robbery, officers obtained a warrant for Caterson’s arrest.
Caterson was arraigned in BMC Central on February 26 for the February 25 incident. Caterson was ordered held on $3,000 bail. He is due back in court on April 23 for both cases.
“We know that a disproportionately small sector of the population drives a disproportionately high percentage of crimes. Our neighborhoods feel the impact of these repeat offenders. I wish the victim in this incident a full recovery and I can assure her we will do everything possible to hold her assailant accountable,” 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