Jamaica Plain man charged as one-man car-window-smashing crime wave

A Jamaica Plain man went on a weeks-long car-smashing rampage through Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, using a tool designed to break car windows and packing some brass knuckles in case anybody tried to get in his way, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office charges.

Justin Caterson, 32, was finally corralled by Boston Police on March 28 after two officers spotted him in the Southwest Corridor Park at Stony Brook station, the DA's office says.

Now he faces 11 counts of breaking and entering vehicle/boat nighttime for felony, five counts of vandalizing property, three counts of larceny under $1,200, and trespassing in Roxbury court and charges of possession of a burglarious instrument, carrying a dangerous weapon (brass knuckles), trespassing, and resisting arrest, breaking and entering vehicle/boat nighttime for felony and vandalizing property in West Roxbury court.

The DA's office adds it is also preparing to charge him he will also be charged with breaking into fourteen motor vehicles on March 19.

Among the incidents reported by the DA's office:

• Jan. 5, Vancouver Street, behind Wentworth campus: Driver's side window smash, black back with $300 in cash, health-insurance cards, charging cables, a charger, clothing and a hygiene kit stolen.
• Jan. 15, 8:07 a.m., Wayland Street, Dorchester: Windows smashed on passenger side.
• Jan. 15, 10:13 a.m., Dale Street, Roxbury: Five people had their car windows broken; one Android phone stolen.
• Jan. 19, Westminster Court, Roxbury: Driver's side window smashed, car jumper kit stolen.
• Jan. 22, 7:30 a.m., Copeland Street, Roxbury: Front passenger window smashed.
• March 15, 8:34 a.m., Parker Hill Avenue, Mission Hill: Two cars with shattered windows.
• March 19, Carmel Street, Delle Avenue, Sewall Street, Mission Hill: A total of 14 vehicles broken into.
• March 28, 12:45 a.m, Jamaica Street, Jamaica Plain, car window smashed.
• March 28, 2:37 a.m. Officers spot Caterson in front of Stony Brook station.
• March 24, Judge Street, Mission Hill: Driver's side window smashed.
• March 24, 1:30 - 2 a.m., Sunset Street, Mission Hill: Man broke into cars by trying doors, then breaking windows.

The DA's office provided an account of the night police finally caught up with Caterson:

At about 12:45 a.m. on March 28, officers were notified that a male, wearing a black hoodie, about 5’9”, smashed a vehicle’s window on Jamaica Street before fleeing the scene.

At about 2:37 a.m. on March 28, Boston police observed a male matching the description of the suspect from Jamaica Street walking through the park across from the Stony Brook MBTA station. As officers approached the male, later identified as Caterson, he fled and attempted to jump over a fence. Caterson refused multiple commands and violently resisted officers before they could safely place him into custody.

Officers recovered brass knuckles, an orange tool typically used to shatter windows, a Swiss army knife with a name not belonging to Caterson inscribed on it, and a Bank of America Card and a Maine ID that also did not belong to Caterson, from his cross body bag.

Innocent, etc.