Authorities in Boston have charged a Dorchester resident with orchestrating a string of high-end car thefts from several city parking garages, a spree that culminated in a dangerous confrontation with police in September 2025. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Anthony Crumbley—who identifies as non-binary—now faces a raft of charges in multiple courts, including larceny of motor vehicles, breaking and entering, reckless operation, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
The case, which spans from late August through September 2025, has been pieced together through diligent detective work, surveillance footage, and eyewitness accounts. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden praised the investigation, stating, “This defendant was clearly drawn to high-end automobiles in parking garages and had no hesitation in stealing them or putting officers’ lives in danger when caught in them.” As reported by the Boston Globe and confirmed in the DA’s press release, Crumbley was arraigned in two Boston courts in December and is scheduled for further appearances in early January 2026.
The saga began on August 19, 2025, when the owner of a black Mercedes S-Class sedan parked his vehicle in the Boston Common Garage, inadvertently leaving the key fob inside. Security footage captured the Mercedes leaving the garage around 1:10 p.m. the next day, sporting Florida license plates. The car’s absence was not noticed until August 25, when the owner reported it stolen, launching the police investigation, according to the Boston Herald.
That same day, a second victim reported a gray Toyota RAV-4 stolen from the Atlantic Wharf Garage at 280 Congress St. Security video showed the Toyota leaving the garage just before 8:40 a.m., while a black Mercedes—matching the previously stolen vehicle—was seen parked outside. Footage revealed a suspect, later identified as Crumbley, exiting the Mercedes and entering the garage toward the Toyota, the DA’s office detailed.
The pattern continued into September. On September 8, a black Mercedes-Benz C300 was reported stolen from the 1 Seaport Lane Boulevard parking garage. Video evidence showed the vehicle being driven out just before 5 a.m. The Atlantic Wharf garage’s security manager recognized the suspect from earlier incidents and, on September 11, spotted Crumbley driving the stolen Mercedes C300 and discarding multiple bags later identified as the car owner’s property. The manager also reported that Crumbley forcibly entered a secure office in the garage and stole a Samsung tablet before fleeing the scene.
Later that day, just after 6:15 p.m., a Boston police officer spotted the Mercedes on Woodrow Avenue. As the officer approached and placed their hand on the car’s side mirror, the driver—allegedly Crumbley—shifted into reverse and accelerated, dragging the officer and causing injuries to their hand, forearm, and leg. The Mercedes sped off, striking two cars along Blue Hill Avenue. The incident, as reported by WCVB, underscored the escalating danger of the thefts.
Between September 26 and October 6, the stolen Mercedes was eventually towed. When the owner recovered the vehicle, they found a letter from Manhattan Animal Care Center addressed to Crumbley, providing a crucial link tying the suspect to the string of thefts, according to the DA’s office.
The thefts didn’t end there. On September 16, Crumbley was seen at the 125 High Street garage in downtown Boston, attempting to exit in a gray Range Rover. After telling the parking attendant they’d lost their ticket, Crumbley sped through the exit gate—an act captured on security footage and relayed to police by the attendant. The owner later confirmed the Range Rover had been stolen from the garage earlier that day.
Boston Police tracked the Range Rover to Norfolk Street in Dorchester on September 19. As officers approached, the driver fled by driving onto the sidewalk, nearly colliding with police cruisers—a reckless move that put bystanders and law enforcement at risk. Later that night, a 911 caller reported a broken-down Range Rover with flashing headlights. Officers found Crumbley behind the wheel. When questioned, Crumbley claimed the vehicle belonged to a friend, but officers could not verify this with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and subsequently arrested them after confirming the car was stolen from the 125 High Street garage. The parking attendant’s description and security video further corroborated Crumbley’s involvement.
Throughout the investigation, Crumbley’s alleged methods remained consistent: targeting luxury vehicles parked in city garages, exploiting security lapses, and using quick getaways to evade detection. The DA’s office noted that Crumbley was not only implicated in thefts but also in breaking into secure offices, stealing electronic devices, and discarding property belonging to victims. The level of planning and audacity, officials said, suggested a calculated approach to car theft that endangered both property and public safety.
During arraignments in Boston Municipal Court - Central and Dorchester District Court, judges ordered Crumbley held on $5,000 bail in each case and mandated that they stay away from all locations where the alleged offenses occurred. Pretrial hearings are scheduled for January 6 and January 8, 2026, reflecting the complexity and seriousness of the charges. Additional proceedings are expected in South Boston District Court related to the same series of incidents.
The charges facing Crumbley are extensive and include several counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, larceny from a building, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, attaching number plates, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, leaving the scene of personal injury, and two counts of leaving the scene of property damage. The DA’s office emphasized that the investigation required careful coordination across multiple police units, the use of extensive video evidence, and cooperation from private security personnel.
District Attorney Hayden, in a statement reported by WBUR, commented on the risks posed by such thefts, saying, “Putting all of these events together with the same individual displayed some top-notch detective work.” He also highlighted the broader threat: “This defendant was clearly drawn to high-end automobiles in parking garages and had no hesitation in stealing them or putting officers’ lives in danger when caught in them.”
The case has drawn attention not only for the sophistication of the alleged thefts but also for the dangers posed to law enforcement and civilians alike. As Boston continues to grapple with property crimes, officials hope this prosecution will send a message to would-be offenders that such actions carry serious consequences.
For now, Crumbley remains in custody, awaiting further court dates as the city watches closely to see how the case unfolds. The investigation stands as a testament to the persistence of law enforcement and the importance of vigilance in protecting both property and public safety in Boston’s bustling urban core.
