Articles Posted in Theft Crimes

In response to a recent wave of church break-ins, Boston police are sending officers to churches around the city to gather information and give security-related advice. Roxbury’s Mission Church, formally named the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was broken into twice last month, and police think that the same suspect is also responsible for other thefts reported on November 22 and November 29.

A surveillance video released by police shows the most recent break-in. According to the Boston Globe, it captures a man forcing his way into a locked area of the church and leaving with a “gold object.”

St. Anthony Shrine, a Catholic church on Arch St. in Downtown Crossing, was broken into on November 17. There was damage to the property including a shattered window, but nothing of value was taken because, the executive director of the shrine thinks, the two donation boxes had been emptied earlier in the afternoon.

The person who is charged in connection with these church break-ins, or any one of the break-ins, will be facing some potentially severe punishments for burglary and other crimes. Here, it does not matter that the churches are not “dwellings” in the traditional sense (i.e. places where a person sleeps regularly)because Massachusetts has made statutory modifications to the definition of burglary and it includes breaking and entering into any building at any time with intent to commit a felony.

Even though nothing of value was taken from the St. Anthony Shrine, it doesn’t matter because a felony doesn’t have to be committed as long as it is proven that the defendant intended to commit a felony.

Burglary is punishable by up to 20 years if the defendant was not armed and didn’t make an assault. If you have been charged with burglary, call a defense lawyer right away.

Sources:

The Boston Globe, Boston police seek suspect in several Boston church break-ins

The Boston Globe: St. Anthony Shrine damaged during break-in
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Since it is the holiday season, Attorney General Martha Coakley is reminding consumers and businesses about Massachusetts laws regarding return policies and final sales, and prosecutors are focusing on fraud and bad checks.

District Attorney Daniel F. Conley is offering help to Suffolk County businesses (those located in Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop) to cover bad checks and get the offender credit counseling. The idea is that many bad check cases can be resolved without using the time and resources that criminal prosecutions require.

Conley’s plan is called the Bad Check Restitution Program, and its main goal is to get restitution for local businesses and simultaneously deter repeat offenders. Specifically, a mandatory intervention class (in addition to restitution) is available for first time bad check offenders. Such offenders will have to complete the class at their own expense.

In Massachusetts, writing a bad check is a crime called “larceny by check” where the person knew at the time he/she wrote the check that there were not sufficient funds in the bank to cover the check and he/she intended to defraud the bank or other party. If the value is $250 or less, it is a misdemeanor. If the value is more than $250, it’s a felony. Checks for more than $2,500 will not be eligible for Conley’s program, but there are no minimum dollar restrictions for eligibility.

Source: The Boston Globe, Prosecutors offer holiday shopping advice for consumers and businesses
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Someone looted money from collection boxes and smashed a stained glass window at Roxbury’s Mission Church this weekend. Church personnel reported the theft on Sunday morning. Police told the Boston Globe that between $200 and $300 could have been in the collection boxes.

The church, formally named Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, is well-known for being the site of the late Senator Edward Kennedy’s funeral. The stained glass window that was smashed was estimated to be more than 100 years old.

Police are investigating the crime.

Source: The Boston Globe, Thieves loot poor boxes at Roxbury’s Mission Church

If you have been charged or think that you are being investigated for a theft crime in Massachusetts, it is important to contact a criminal defense lawyer. There is a wide range of potential punishments for Massachusetts theft crimes, and the penalties can be very serious.
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Christopher Higgins, a 43-year-old Dorchester man, pleaded not guilty Thursday in West Roxbury municipal court to one count of unarmed robbery and was held on $5,000 cash bail.

It is alleged that Higgins robbed a West Roxbury bank and tricked his friend into driving the getaway car by saying he got into a fight at the bank and had to leave quickly. Police interviewed and released the friend.

Police told the Boston Globe that the robbery happened Wednesday when a white male in a ski mask and hooded sweatshirt robbed Hyde Park Savings Bank. Shortly afterwards, the police saw a car matching the description that bank employees gave them. The friend gave police the address where Higgins might be staying, and they spotted a man fitting the description moments after arriving. Higgins fled on foot but was arrested soon afterward.

The Boston Globe: Bank robber allegedly tricked friend into driving getaway car
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