A Boston man with a history of larceny has been charged with armed robbery after an incident at a local CVS, where he allegedly threatened a store employee with pepper spray. According to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, Brian Lewis, 54, was arraigned on Monday after the confrontation that occurred on Sunday, as per the Suffolk County District Attorney.
Lewis, who was on probation for a previous larceny case, allegedly used pepper spray to scare off a store employee while stealing hygiene products. Judge Connor Barusch released him on personal recognizance but ordered him to stay away from the store. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney, a clerk said Lewis threatened to spray them if they didn’t back away.
The Boston police, responding to the larceny in progress call from the CVS located at 231 Massachusetts Avenue, found Lewis on Clearwater Street carrying the stolen items. His identity was confirmed, and officers arrested him after recovering a white canister of pepper spray. The items were subsequently returned to the store, as detailed by the Suffolk County District Attorney.
During the past year, concerns over retail crime have led to initiatives like the Safe Shopping Initiative, a collaborative effort between Hayden’s office, Boston Police department, regional retailer groups and small business owners. This program seeks to enhance consumer safety and assist store managers in combating shoplifting. "We are well aware of the impact that repeat retail theft offenders can have on our merchants and the larger impact that retail theft can have on our consumers and our communities," Hayden stated. Lewis, who has a criminal record dating back to 1988, is scheduled for a status hearing on November 20, as reported by the Suffolk County District Attorney.
