In a brazen midday robbery on Northampton Street, Boston police say a man yanked open a car door, pointed a handgun at a driver, and took off with the victim's cellphone and chain before sprinting toward Shawmut Avenue. The victim had been waiting to meet a friend outside 101 Northampton Street when the suspect ran up and struck, according to police.
Officers assigned to District D-4 were flagged down by the victim at about 12:02 p.m. on Friday near Northampton and Washington streets, according to the Boston Police Department. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and witness accounts, and the department has released images and a description of the suspect online.
In a post on the Boston Police Department's Facebook page, officials say the victim had texted a friend upon arriving at 101 Northampton Street. An unknown Black male then opened the passenger door, pointed a black firearm at the victim, tore off the victim's chain, grabbed the cellphone, and ran down Northampton toward Shawmut Avenue.
How To Help Detectives
Anyone with information is urged to contact District D-4 Detectives at (617) 343-5619, according to the Boston Police Department. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via Boston Police CrimeStoppers by calling 1-800-494-TIPS, texting "TIP" to CRIME (27463), or using the web tip form. The department says photos or video related to the investigation may be uploaded and will be accepted confidentially.
How This Fits Locally
The call for the public's help comes as the department has circulated multiple community alerts about armed robberies in recent weeks. Local coverage noted two gunpoint bank robberies on April 28 that prompted similar postings, a reminder that detectives are increasingly leaning on public tips and cellphone video to push these cases forward.
