Crime & Safety

Man Caught Trying to Steal Sox Star's Mitt After Detroit Series

Police say Thomas Robbins was caught inside the Red Sox clubhouse attempting to turn Mike Napoli's first baseman's mitt into an unauthorized souvenir.

A Concord man may have crossed the line from fan to fanatic after the Red Sox punched their ticket to the 2013 World Series Saturday night with 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers to clinch the American League pennant.

Law enforcement officials say Thomas Robbins, 23, of Concord, is the man Red Sox staff caught inside the team's clubhouse, where he was allegedly attempting to steal a baseball glove belonging to Mike Napoli, Boston's bearded first basemen.

Robbins, 23, was arraigned in Roxbury District Court yesterday on charges of attempting to commit a crime – larceny over $250 – and trespassing.  Judge Pamela Dashiell granted Assistant District Attorney William Doogan’s request that bail be set in the amount of $300 and that Robbins be ordered to stay away from the location of the offense – Fenway Park – for the pendency of the case.

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According to a press release from Suffolk DA Daniel Conley, Boston Police responded to Yawkey Way shortly after 2:30 a.m., following the Sox series-clinching win, for a report of a larceny at Fenway Park. The call came after a Red Sox staffer spotted Robbins inside the team's clubhouse and the suspect dropped the first basemen's mitt before attempting to flee.

“It was valued at $450 for purposes of the case, but a perfectly-worn mitt is priceless,” said Conley in the press release. “We're glad Mike got it back and won't have to worry about it tomorrow night.”

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By tomorrow night, Conley was referring to Game 1 of the World Series, in which the Red Sox will host the St. Louis Cardinals. It's a game, Conley notes, that Robbins will have to watch on television as he's been ordered to stay away from Fenway Park.

In addition to Napoli's glove, Fenway Park security also found two Major League Baseball-issued press box placemarkers on Robbins when he was stopped in the players parking lot. Security staff informed police that all ares Robbins had entered were marked as “authorized personnel only,” prosecutors said.

Robbins will return to court on Dec. 11, the press release said. 


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