Boston Police Arrest East Boston Man in Armed Convenience Store Robbery

Officers assigned to District A-7 were on routine patrol near Bennington Street and Marion Street in East Boston when a store employee flagged them down at approximately 8:22 AM on April 30, 2025. The victim, visibly distressed, pointed officers toward two male suspects walking ahead of the East Coast Variety store located at 67 Bennington Street. Officers quickly detained one suspect, later identified as Melvin Ramirez. During their investigation, police discovered Ramirez was armed with a firearm while his accomplice carried a machete. According to Boston Police, the suspects robbed the store of cash from the register and other merchandise, then damaged the cash register and seized the victim's cell phone and the store's landline phone to prevent the victim from calling for help. Ramirez allegedly brandished the firearm during the robbery and stole a significant amount of cash along with lottery tickets and various store items. While conducting a pat frisk, officers recovered what appeared to be a firearm near Ramirez's right ankle. A search of Ramirez yielded an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency in various denominations, an unscratched lottery ticket, a four-pack of Zyn nicotine pouches, an unopened brownie, and a cordless landline phone. Ramirez attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. After receiving medical attention for a non-life-threatening injury, Ramirez was placed under arrest and scheduled for arraignment in East Boston District Court on charges including armed robbery while masked, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated witness intimidation, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The Boston Police Department continues to actively investigate the incident.