SWAT officers ended a tense standoff in Dorchester late yesterday following a barber shop robbery where a stolen smartwatch helped lead officers right to the holed-up suspects.
Police confirmed Friday that “one of the victim’s stolen watches was being tracked to the area of Adams Street and Lyon Street” where officers found the stolen car used in the Roxbury robbery. Surveillance video from Edward’s Barbershop and surrounding area also helped, police said.
Deputy Superintendent Joseph Gillespie said a call came in at 4:02 p.m. Thursday for an armed robbery in progress on Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury at a barber shop.
“On arrival, the offices discovered that the individuals inside a barber shop, the owner, were robbed by masked individuals who fled the scene,” Gillespie told reporters.
A motor vehicle involved was soon spotted in the area and the suspects had run into a home on Adams Street. That’s when the Boston Police SWAT team and partner negotiators went into action.
“After they negotiated and used deescalation tactics,” Gillespie said, “two of the suspects were removed from the house without incident.” He added the third suspect remained and SWAT moved in and arrested him.
No injuries were reported.
“I’d like to say how proud I am of our officers for their restraint and professionalism,” he added. The superintendent also thanked residents for their “patience” while SWAT did their jobs.
On Friday police announced those arrested were James Mendes, 32, of Randolph; Eric Hines, 32, of Roslindale; and, Hendrick Davis, 41, of Brockton. They are set to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court.
