Cambridge Police report they suspect the guy who held up the Emack & Bolio's on White Street on Saturday also robbed the ice-cream place around 2:05 p.m. on May 14 - holding one hand under his shirt as though he had a weapon.
Police say they also think the guy tried to rob a Porter Square grocery store in January, pulling the same hand-under-shirt trick, but that in that case, he fled before getting any money.
If he looks familiar, contact police at 617-349-3300, call the anonymous tip line at 617-349-3359 or send an anonymous tip to 847411 (begin your text with TIP650).
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Comments
They've stopped accepting
By anon
Tue, 06/20/2017 - 2:32pm
They've stopped accepting cash at the Porter location. Credit cards only now.
Ma General Law says they have
By Patrick McMahon
Tue, 06/20/2017 - 2:48pm
Ma General Law says they have to accept cash Chapter 255D Section 10
Then how does Sweetgreen get
By anon
Tue, 06/20/2017 - 7:58pm
Then how does Sweetgreen get away with it?
Their School Street location doesn't accept cash, not sure about their Summer Street location.
Doesn't the law say
By Scauma
Wed, 06/21/2017 - 8:00am
You have to accept cash for all debts or else the item/product can be taken for free? I recall hearing something like that years ago, would love to be educated on whether its true or not.
You're conflating two things
By BostonDog
Wed, 06/21/2017 - 9:33am
The "Must accept cash" law is here. It says nothing about penalties for rejecting cash. Presumably that's something for the AG's office to pursue if they feel so inclined but given how common "no cash" policies are they seem to be ignoring it.
Mass also has a scanner law that if the price scanned is higher then the shelf/sticker price the item can be provided free up to $10. (Or a $10 discount if the item is more expensive.)
Believe the law does address it
By Dave-from-Boston
Wed, 06/21/2017 - 10:52am
From Chapter 255D
Section 4. The commissioner, or such of his assistants as he may designate, may summon a licensee, or any of his agents or employees, and such other witness as he deems necessary, and examine them relative to their transactions, may require the production of books and papers and, for such purposes, may administer oaths. Whoever, without justifiable cause, fails or refuses to appear and testify or to produce books and papers when so required, or obstructs the commissioner or his representatives in the performance of their duties, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
The Commission in this case is the Commissioner of Banks who, if I understand it correctly, may enlist the assistance of others to include the MSP , to investigate violations. Sounds a bit obscure but I suspect if you get a number of people acting in concert in a complaint about a particular retailer, the issue would apt to get attention.
What strikes me about this practice that is particularly odd (although not necesssarily intentional) is the inherent discriminatory nature of a non-cash business policy. Statistically low income or poor people are often unable to obtain credit because of a wide variety of reasons some within and some outside of their control. Low income and poor people are proportionately more apt to be women and people of color. Again - this looks like fertile ground for a class action lawsuit.
Hard to get enforced though
By eekanotloggedin
Tue, 06/20/2017 - 9:07pm
I once tried to buy something at an Apple store for a job I had at the time, was told they didn't accept cash for tax-exempt purchases. I called the MA DOR, who said they had to. Put them on speaker. The place still wouldn't take it; said corporate instructed them not to accept cash for tax-exempt purchases.
Lots of places are credit only
By BostonDog
Tue, 06/20/2017 - 10:27pm
Legal or not, it's becoming common. The cost of dealing with cash is about the same as credit card fees. Many merchants would rather just forgo the hassles of cash.
It's illegal
By anon
Tue, 06/20/2017 - 10:39pm
Cash isn't called LEGAL TENDER for nothing.
TV said Cash must be accepted
By In The Know
Wed, 06/21/2017 - 8:57am
TV news reporting on this correctly stated that while they are preferring and advertising credit / debit only, they are required by law to accept cash and must take it if someone insists.
Amsterdam Falafel in Kenmore
By Irma la Douce
Wed, 06/21/2017 - 2:28pm
Is "no cash", or was the last time I visited.
Now they won't take any form of payment!
By BostonDog
Wed, 06/21/2017 - 4:06pm
They've closed for good in Kenmore. The Davis Sq location is still credit only.
Oh my gosh!
By PeyoteEatingWat...
Tue, 06/20/2017 - 10:20pm
It's Yul Fucking Brynner!
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