Man in distinctive orange T-shirt charged with breaking into Covid-closed fitness club downtown; is suspect in additional break-ins

Boston Police report arresting a guy in an orange T-shirt they say was one of the bits of evidence linking him to a break-in at the Planet Fitness at 17 Winter St. around 8 a.m. on Monday - and to several other break-ins in the area.

Although officers who responded to a 911 call about an apparent break-in at the fitness club didn't find anybody, police say:

A few hours later, officers observed and located an individual fitting the description of the suspect in the area of Washington and Water Streets. When officers approached, the suspect began to physically push and resist the officers. Even after being placed in handcuffs, the suspect began spitting at the officers. After being placed in the back of a cruiser, the suspect continued to try to spit on the officers while all the while threatening to physically harm them.

Richard Lawson, 39, was charged with breaking and entering, threats to commit a crime and assault and battery on a police officer, police say, adding he could face additional charges for the other break-ins.