A spree of thefts at a Family Dollar store in Boston has led to the arrest and arraignment of a local man, Jorge Gonzalez, 30, facing numerous charges. Kicking off the new year with a string of alleged crimes, Gonzalez has become a persona non grata in the Dorchester neighborhood's retail community, as per District Attorney Kevin Hayden. Out on bail for similar acts, Gonzalez's audacious return to crime has resulted in a swift response by law enforcement and the judicial system.
According to a statement from the Suffolk District Attorney, Gonzalez was charged with unarmed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon, and assaulting two police officers, not to mention a couple counts of disturbing the peace. Having thrown a shopping cart at a store employee during one of his alleged heists, this suspect wasn’t taking any chances when the cuffs came out and the cops closed in.
Rolling the dice on his freedom, Gonzalez has had his bail revoked by Judge Thomas Kaplanes, alongside a hefty $10,000 bond slapped onto his slate. Following his arrest, the accused is due back in court on February 20 for a probable cause hearing. His acts have stirred not just the legal apparatus but the business community, leading to safety strategy sessions among local retailers.
Responding to an incident at the Columbia Road Family Dollar on January 27, Boston Police connected the dots between prior reports and surveillance footage of Gonzalez, suitably outfitted in his signature “Jazz” jacket and flashy red and white sneakers. The officers, patrolling the area, noticed Gonzalez, recognized by his distinct attire, walking along Columbia Road and Quincy Street, said officers when they observed an individual matching the suspect’s description.
Upon confrontation, Gonzalez allegedly hit the ground running, literally, scuffling with the police in a manner that would make a stuntman jealous. The melee culminated with the discovery of a large kitchen knife falling from Gonzalez's possession, adding to the gravity of the situation and charges stacked against him.
Gonzalez, already known to the Roxbury BMC for a prior wrap sheet that reads like a how-to guide on shoplifting, larceny, and making friends with a dangerous weapon, is now looking at an even longer list of legal woes. With this latest episode, the community’s patience and sympathy for petty crime is waning thin, echoing the sentiments of store owners and local law enforcement alike.
