A string of high-stakes heists has ended with a Boston man copping to a series of armed robberies while wielding knives and terrorizing local businesses. Akeem Lahens, 33, pled guilty to hitting four shops while on supervised release for similar crimes, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The spree, which played out over late April and early May 2023, featured Lahens targeting cell phone stores in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, as well as a Dunkin' Donuts, where he was seen on surveillance cameras. Each time, clutching large knives and corralling victims into back rooms, Lahens made off with undisclosed amounts of cash before brandishing his weapons and demanding money, according to the Justice Department.
Cops found the very sandals and knives from Lahens' recent heist, tucked away at his Dorchester residence. His criminal record harks back to a 2021 conviction in New York for five counts of robbery, after which he served 30 months behind bars.
Lahens is looking at a potential 20-year sentence for each robbery count, on top of fines reaching up to $250,000. Judge Allison D. Burroughs is set to hand down the sentence on April 24, reflecting the severity of crimes that have put businesses and communities on edge. In an announcement, made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and other law enforcement officials.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin is tasked with Lahens' prosecution.
