Incidents at Sam’s Express – 2 Washington Street

On Saturday, April 4, 2026, Dedham Police Officers were dispatched to Sam’s Express located at 2 Washington Street in Dedham on three occasions.

At 9:09 AM, officers responded for a report of an assault and battery.  Upon arrival, officers received a report that a male party had entered the store and assaulted a store employee.  The suspect was not present when officers arrived.  A customer of the business had intervened and escorted the suspect out of the store.  Officers attended to the victim, gathered evidence and canvassed the area.  Information was shared with members of the Massachusetts State Police, Transit Police and Boston Police related to this incident.

At 5:37 PM, officers responded for another report of an assault and battery.  Responding officers were informed that the same suspect had entered the store and assaulted a second employee.  A Boston Police officer was able to identify the suspect prior to the arrival of Dedham officers and before the suspect left the area.  Responding officers were unable to locate the suspect.  Based on the identification, officers proceeded to prepare a complaint application to charge the suspect with assault and battery.  The victim declined medical assistance.

At 10:44 PM, officers responded for a third time.  A customer reported that his vehicle had been stolen from the area of the gas pumps after he walked away from the vehicle to pay for gas.  The stolen vehicle was observed being driven on Washington Street towards Boston.  Evidence was obtained at the scene.  The suspect is believed to be the same party from the previous two assault and battery incidents.  A warrant application was prepared to charge the suspect with larceny of a motor vehicle.

On Sunday, April 5, 2026, an arrest warrant was obtained to charge the suspect with two counts of assault and battery, trespassing and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Members of the Boston Police Department were able to place the suspect, John Laurent, 35 years old, of West Roxbury, MA, under arrest at his residence via the arrest warrant.  Mr. Laurent was transferred by the Boston Police to the Dedham Police for processing at 1:31 PM.

Members of the Boston Police Department recovered the stolen vehicle in the area of 4975 Washington Street in West Roxbury.

Mr. Laurent will be transported to Dedham District Court on Monday April 6, 2026, for arraignment.

There is no further information available at this time.