Investigation Update: Father and Son Arrested for Staging Armed Robbery at Downtown Restaurant

On Friday, January 3, 2025, Detectives from District A-1 (Downtown Boston) executed arrest and search warrants, leading to the apprehension of 36-year-old Scott Douglas and his 19-year-old son, Nickolas Lao, both of Charlestown. The arrests followed an extensive investigation into a staged armed robbery at a downtown Boston restaurant in late December 2024.

At approximately 10:34 PM on Sunday, December 29, 2024, Officers from District A-1 responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at Cava restaurant, located at 125 Summer Street. According to the initial call, the restaurant was allegedly robbed at closing time by a suspect brandishing an assault rifle, who fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Despite a search of the area, no suspect was located.

Detectives conducted a thorough investigation and determined that the reported robbery and the suspect described did not exist. The investigation revealed that Scott Douglas, an employee of the restaurant, had conspired with his son, Nickolas Lao, to stage the robbery. The pair intentionally misled responding officers and fabricated the details of the incident.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for both men, as well as search warrants for their residences in Charlestown. Both suspects were arrested and a subsequent search uncovered physical evidence.

Scott Douglas and Nickolas Lao are expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on the following charges:

Scott Douglas

• Larceny Over $1200
• Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery
• Filing a False Crime Report
• Withholding Evidence from a Criminal Proceeding

Nickolas Lao

• Larceny Over $1200
• Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery