Boston police are asking for help identifying a man connected to a shoplifting incident that escalated into threats near 460 Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury on September 28. The incident occurred at about 3 p.m., according to a Boston Police Department alert.
Police describe the person of interest as a Black man about 40 years old, roughly 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a thin build and a beard. He was last seen wearing all-black clothing and a Celtics hooded sweatshirt. The department has not said what was taken or provided details about the threats. It also has not indicated whether the man has been identified, arrested or charged.
A commercial corridor and separate prior cases
Blue Hill Avenue is more than a street reference in the police alert: the City of Boston describes it as a commercial corridor connecting people with educational, religious and recreational destinations. That broader context does not identify the business involved in the September incident, which police have not named.
Earlier District B-2 alerts offer examples of other, separate shoplifting investigations in Roxbury. Police sought help identifying a person after a June 27, 2024, incident near 460 Blue Hill Avenue, and sought help identifying two people after a February 14, 2026, incident at Snipes Shoe Store on Washington Street. These cases differ in date and, in the latter example, location; police have not linked either to the September incident. A few separate alerts are examples, not evidence of a rise in shoplifting.
Anyone with information about the current investigation can contact District B-2 detectives at 617-343-4275. Boston police say people may also provide photos or videos anonymously. CrimeStoppers accepts tips by phone at 1-800-494-TIPS, by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463), or through its online portal, according to the department alert.
