A New York man is accused of using a brick to smash a Macy’s glass case with $235,000 in jewelry and then picking up the items before being arrested.
Schenectady man Ronald Paige, 49, is facing charges in connection with the incident earlier this month at the Downtown Crossing Macy’s.
Boston police officers last Tuesday afternoon responded to a radio call for shoplifting at the Macy’s on Washington Street.
Store security told the cops that Paige — who they reportedly recognized from a shoplifting incident several days before — came into the store and went to the jewelry section.
“Paige produced a brick and smashed through a locked glass jewelry case valued at about $7,000,” the Suffolk DA’s office said. “He then began to pick up the jewelry with his hands, at which point Macy’s security detained him. The value of the jewelry within the case was $235,297.00.”
The incident was captured on video.
Paige has open warrants in Middlesex County for malicious destruction of property, and has felony convictions in New York.
“This is a pretty alarming set of facts, given the destruction caused and the shock it must have caused for nearby customers and employees in a major store on a busy weekday,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said.
“We’re working with all of our city partners and retail partners to address retail crime, which is particularly important as we enter the holiday shopping season,” the DA added.
Hayden’s office, the Boston Police Department, regional retailer groups and small business owners last year launched the Safe Shopping Initiative — an effort to increase consumer safety and help store managers strategize responses to shoplifting and retail larcenies.
The initiative formed amid increasing national and local frustrations around retail crime, along with concerns over the closure of several pharmacies serving minority communities in Boston.
Paige has been charged with larceny over $1,200, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, breaking into a depository and possession of a burglarious instrument.
The judge set bail at $5,000 and ordered Paige to stay away from Macy’s if released.
