URGENT UPDATE: A 40-year-old homeless man has been arrested for armed robbery following a violent incident at a 7-11 convenience store in downtown Boston early this morning. The man, identified as Michael Waterman, allegedly stole a cash register and threatened to kill police officers during his arrest, according to the Boston Police Department.
The incident unfolded just after 5 a.m. on July 15, 2023, at 50 Summer St. Police responded to reports of a breaking and entering in progress. Upon arrival, they found the store’s front glass door shattered and the cash register missing. As officers interviewed a store employee, they spotted Waterman across the street, matching the suspect’s description.
When officers attempted to apprehend him, Waterman resisted arrest and issued threats against their lives, forcing police to employ multiple de-escalation tactics before successfully handcuffing him. The stolen cash register was recovered during the arrest.
“The suspect posed a serious threat during the arrest, underscoring the dangers our officers face every day,” the BPD stated.
Waterman, whose address is linked to the Southampton Street Shelter in Roxbury, faces multiple charges including armed robbery, larceny from a building, breaking and entering, assault with a dangerous weapon, and resisting arrest. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In a broader context, the BPD reported responding to 96 incidents in the 24 hours leading up to 10 a.m. today, which included one robbery, three aggravated assaults, and several other thefts. This spike in crime highlights ongoing concerns about safety in the area.
The community is urged to stay vigilant as police continue their investigation into this incident and the rising crime rates in Boston. This story is developing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
