Boston man facing charges in string of Family Dollar store thefts

A Boston man was arraigned Tuesday on charges in connection to a series of thefts from a Family Dollar store in Dorchester.

Jorge Gonzalez, 30, was charged with unarmed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon (knife), disturbing the peace, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a police officer (two counts).

A judge ordered him held on $10,000 bail, while also revoking bail on his pending cases, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office noted in a statement.

In three separate cases out of Roxbury Municipal Court, Gonzalez faces charges including shoplifting, larceny, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to the statement.

In the most recent case at Family Dollar on Columbia Road in Dorcester, Gonzalez is accused in several incidents of theft.

The store manager told Boston police on Jan. 27 that the same person from a reported armed robbery on Jan. 22 and larceny on Jan. 26 had taken more merchandise earlier that day.

Store video surveillance allegedly showed a suspect wearing all black including a black jacket with the word “Jazz” in white letters and distinct red and white sneakers filling up a backpack and grocery store bag with items. An employee tried to stop the suspect with a shopping cart, but the suspect kicked it in the direction of the employee while fleeing the scene, police said.

Authorities said they saw a man matching the suspect’s description and wearing the same outfit, walking along Columbia Road and Quincy Street later that day.

Offices struggled to apprehend the suspect, who they later identified as Gonzalez, and said a large kitchen knife fell off of him.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said there have been increasing frustrations over retail crime on both national and local levels, as well as concerns after several pharmacies serving minority neighborhoods in Boston have closed.

His office has hosted meetings with small business owners and regional retailer groups to discuss efforts to address shoplifting and retail larcenies, he said.

“Shoplifting is hardly a trifling crime, especially when store employees and officers are getting hurt and hardworking business owners — along with the larger communities they service — are being impacted,” Hayden said. “In Mr. Gonzalez’s case, committing a series of thefts while out on bail for similar offenses is intolerable and we will take the necessary actions to ensure the safety of employees and customers.”

Gonzalez returns to court Feb. 20 for a probable cause hearing.