Boston man hit with 2.5-year sentence for string of smash-and-grab burglaries
BOSTON, September 26, 2025 – A Boston man will spend the next two-and-a-half years in the House of Correction followed by two years of exclusion-zone enhanced probation after pleading guilty today to a string of smash-and-grab burglaries at businesses in Downtown Crossing and Newbury Street, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
THOMAS PATAK, 55, pleaded guilty to numerous breaking and entering, larceny from a building and destruction of property charges in BMC Central and received a sentence of 2.5 years in the House of Correction followed by two years of probation with orders to stay away from all crime locations and wear a GPS monitoring device. He was also ordered to undergo mental health evaluations and substance abuse treatment as needed.
On November 23, 2024, officers responded to 69 Tremont Street, Boston (Nicole’s Pizza Restaurant) where, upon arrival, they observed a shattered front glass door and the cash register on a chair with rolls of coins inside. Video later showed clear depictions of the suspect as he rummaged through the area. In response to the ID Wanted Bulletin, several responses identified the suspect as Thomas Patak.
On July 23, officers responded to a commercial alarm radio call at 43 Kingston Street, Downtown Boston. At the back entrance, officers noted a broken glass pane to the entry door at #92 and observed a brick at the main door. Inside, officers observed what appeared to be a cut wire in the point-of-sale area. The building manager told officers that elevator access is restricted to individuals with a key.
On the same date, officers responded to 92 Bedford Street, Boston (D’Guru Restaurant) for a commercial alarm. The front door of the restaurant window was broken and the cash register was missing. Detectives determined the suspect was inside for around six minutes, several of which where the cash drawer is located. Based on the suspect's outfit and physical appearance he was later identified as Thomas Patak.
On August 22, officers responded to a commercial alarm at 1744 Washington Street, Boston (Gary’s Pizza). Upon arrival, they observed obvious damage to the glass on the front door where there was a hole in the top window. Inside, officers found a brick and the register open with damage on the front counter. Red markings at the front counter were discovered and suspected to be blood. The owner showed officers security footage later used to identify Thomas Patak.
On August 25, officers responded to a radio call for 303A Newbury Street (Le Rosier Bakery). Officers saw a broken front glass door. A worker informed officers that about $200 had been stolen from the register. Surveillance footage showed Patak lingering outside the patio and later taking a large item and smashing the front glass door.
On August 26, officers responded to 316 Newbury Street (Chip City) and found the glass front door shattered and the front counter space ransacked. Surveillance footage shows the suspect throw a brick through the door and then use the brick in an unsuccessful attempt to open the cash register. Suspect was identified to be the same individual who had broken into Le Rosier Bakery the previous day.
On August 28, officers were called to 286 Newbury Street (Pavement Coffee). Officers found the front door glass broken, a brick on the floor and the cash register drawer open with coins scattered nearby. They also found a broken key in the keypad area of the store safe. Detectives identified Thomas Patak from surveillance video.
On August 31, police responded to 294 Newbury Street and found the front door glass pane shattered. Officers found a brick inside the store. Surveillance video showed Patak outside the door before it was shattered.
“The frequency of this man victimizing local merchants almost defies belief. Getting him off the streets for two-and-a-half years and then keeping him away from the businesses he terrorized is a major win for business owners, employees and consumers. These are the types of serial actions that can never and will never be tolerated,” Hayden said.
In 2014, Patak pleaded guilty to a string of break-ins in Worcester County and received a sentence of four to five years in state prison.
Hayden’s office, the Boston Police department, regional retailer groups and small business owners in 2024 launched the Safe Shopping Initiative, an effort to increase consumer safety and help store managers strategize responses to shoplifting and retail larcenies. The initiative formed amid increasing national and local frustrations around retail crime, along with concerns over the closure of several pharmacies serving minority communities in Boston.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Our office handles more than 20,000 cases a year. Nearly 160 assistant district attorneys practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Boston and Chelsea Juvenile Courts and the Supreme Judicial Court. Our office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs for anyone encountering the criminal justice system. We are committed to educating the public about our mission and services while focusing on crime prevention to keep the residents, workers and visitors of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications