Preston Jackson

'One-man crime wave' could sink into jail for the rest of his life

adamg — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:32:14 +0000

Preston Jackson of Mattapan, who allegedly kept robbing stores even after video of him was featured prominently on local TV stations, was today indicted on enough armed-robbery counts to send him away for life if convicted, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

When finally arrested on Jan. 3 after a clerk at a Mass. Ave. candy store scared him off, Jackson was initially charged with six holdups. The indictment, however, charges him with two additional pre-Christmas stickups. In total, Jackson only made a bit more than $2,000 for his spree through the Back Bay and Fenway (officials do not know the exact amount he got in the Fenway Starbucks robbery that led to his brief career as a YouTube star).

"From every source - whether it's witness testimony, surveillance video, or the assailant's own notes - the evidence paints this defendant as a one-man crime wave," [DA Dan] Conley said.

A pattern became clear when looking at the robberies, Conley said. Jackson apparently selected retail stores and cafes with large, plate glass windows facing the street. Each cashier at the victimized establishment was in his or her mid-20s or younger, and each location was robbed after dark. While inside the establishments, Conley said, Jackson was scrupulous in not touching anything.

Map showing Jackson's alleged hits, prepared by the Suffolk County DA's office:

View Larger Map

Innocent, etc.

How dumb do you have to be to hold up a store at gunpoint after police plaster your photo everywhere?

adamg — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:50:14 +0000

1/3/09 - 3:28 pm

Boston Police report arresting Preston Jackson of Mattapan last night after a failed armed robbery at a Mass. Ave. candy/ice cream store. Jackson, 42, was wanted for a string of similar holdups in the Back Bay and Fenway over the past month.

Officers responding to a report of a holdup at Bon Bon, 197 Mass. Ave., around 8:30 last night quickly spotted a guy who looked like Jackson:

While handcuffing the suspect, officers observed the suspect drop a piece of paper to the ground. Upon recovering the paper, officers discovered that the piece of paper was, in fact, a hand written note. The note read as follows: "Give me the money quietly and no one will be shot."

Police explain how workers at the shop foiled Jackson's bid for money after he handed them his note:

At this point, store employees say they informed the suspect about the presence of in-store security cameras. Upon seeing the cameras, store employees say the suspect grabbed his note and exited the store.

Innocent, etc.

Armed robber costs worker her job

adamg — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:52:21 +0000

The Herald reports the owner of Darque Tan was upset the woman didn't fight back when the gunman held the place up last month.

Police are looking for Preston Jackson, 42, of Mattapan, in connection with that and other recent hold ups in the Back Bay and Fenway.

Preston Jackson: Come out, come out wherever you are

adamg — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:12:54 +0000

Boston Police say they are looking for Preston Jackson, 42, of Mattapan, as the guy captured on video holding up a Brookline Avenue Starbucks on Dec. 29. Police say Jackson is also responsible for several other holdups along Newbury Street earlier in December. In all five cases, police say, Jackson passed a note to a clerk that said he had a gun and demanding money.

Police say he is 5'10" and weighs 200 pounds. He was last seen meandering up Brookline Avenue toward Kenmore Square.

Innocent, etc.

Gunman sought for Back Bay, Fenway holdups

adamg — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:00:15 +0000

12/29/08 - 3:29 pm

UPDATE: Preston Jackson arrested after similar holdup on Mass. Ave.

Holdup man in action at Starbucks on Brookline Avenue in the Fenway last night, via Boston Police:

Boston Police report they are looking for a man they say has held up several stores, most recently, the Starbucks at 172 Brookline Ave. last night:

... [T]the suspect approached the counter and handed an employee a note, the employee assumed the note was a coffee order and read note aloud to her colleague. The note read "Give me the money and no one gets shot". A second employee handed the suspect money from the register (unknown amount of US currency was taken).The suspect took the note back from the employee and fled on foot up Brookline Ave. towards Kenmore Sq. ...

Starbucks has put up a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Police say he's also wanted for four armed robberies along Newbury Street between Dec. 18 and Dec. 24.