BOSTON — Boston police made an arrest early Thursday morning as detectives continue to investigate a slew of business break-ins in Boston’s Beacon Hill section.
James Schaff, 55, of Boston, was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on a charge of breaking and entering a building at night, according to the Boston Police Department.
James Schaff is being held on two cases involving business break-ins at night on Charles Street in Boston. Prosecutors say Schaff is connected to break-ins early this morning and another back in May of 2023.
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) August 24, 2023
Officers responding to a report of another break-in at Flat of the Hill at 60 Charles Street around 12:30 a.m. nabbed Schaff as he attempted to flee the area on foot, police said.
Schaff had blood on his hands and arms when arrested.
“Officers responded to the scene, and they were able to see blood on the glass from that store,” said Suffolk County ADA Sam Jones.
The Suffolk District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Schaff is a Level 2 sex offender. He was convicted of aggravated rape in 1987, according to the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board.
Schaff is also facing similar charges in connection with a separate break-in in May, prosecutors said.
Schaff’s arrest comes after cash, jewelry, and electronics were stolen from at least four other nearby businesses this past weekend, including Remy’s Creations and Soodee.
A burglar smashed a window to get inside Remy’s and stole an iPad, the business owner told Boston 25. A police report indicated that a brick was used to shatter a windowpane near the lock on the door of Soodee, and the owner told investigators that a burglar stole a box of rings and their cash register.
“Great effort, great effort. I hope he is behind bars for a long time because he got out and started doing the same thing after he was arrested in May,” said the jewelry store owner.
We also learned in court Schaff had been arrested for shoplifting at Faneuil Hall and failing to register as a sex offender.
Schaff is being held without bail.
An investigation into the recent string of crimes remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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