Dorchester man facing kidnapping + unarmed robbery charges after meeting a man on Grindr.

From DA Kevin Hayden’s office

BOSTON, March 12, 2024 – A Boston man is facing kidnapping and unarmed robbery charges in Dorchester BMC after he invited a man he met online to his apartment last week for sex and prevented him from leaving until the victim paid $100, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

ANTHONY BRIMAGE, 28, was charged Friday with kidnapping and unarmed robbery. Judge Samir Zaganjori ordered Brimage held on $1,000 bail. Brimage is due back in court on April 5.

At about 2:06 a.m. on March 8, Boston police responded to an unarmed robbery call and observed the victim walking down Neponset Avenue. The victim told officers he met a man, later identified as Brimage, on the Grindr app and agreed to meet at the man’s apartment on Neponset Avenue.  Upon arrival, Brimage told the victim he needed to send him money if he wanted to have sex. The victim refused to send him any money, and Brimage immediately cornered him and pinned him against the wall. The victim said Brimage became aggressive and yelled for the victim to send him $50 via Apple Pay. The victim ultimately sent $50 out of fear and began begging Brimage to let him leave.

Brimage then said “if you can send me $50, you must have money, so send me another $50.” When the victim told him he did not have any more money, Brimage called his roommate into the bedroom. The victim sent another $50 via Apple Pay. The victim was ultimately allowed to leave.  He refused to seek any medical treatment.

Officers went to speak to Brimage, who initially refused to open the door. Brimage told officers he and the victim had been communicating on Grindr for a few months and agreed to meet at his apartment. Brimage said after an hour, the victim randomly wanted to send him $50 for “weed and lunch.” Brimage gave the victim his roommate’s number to send the money due to not having his own Apple Pay account. Brimage said the victim wanted to engage in sexual intercourse since he sent him money but Brimage refused. The victim then sent him another $50 “just because” and they got into an argument which caused his roommate to check on them.

Officers then spoke to Brimage’s roommate who said Brimage and the victim were together for about 25 minutes when he was called into the room to provide his cellphone number for Apple Pay transactions. The roommate then heard Brimage and the victim arguing and he advised the victim to leave. Once the victim left, Brimage began panicking and stated to him “I think he called the police.”

Officers confirmed the first payment was sent from the victim’s phone at 1:49 a.m. and the second payment was sent at 1:57 a.m.

A CJIS query revealed Brimage had an outstanding warrant out of Holyoke for shoplifting.

“A person can be robbed on the spot of cash now even if, as in this case, they’re not carrying any. The suspect here used technology to meet the victim and then used technology to rob the victim. We are seeing these types of incidents more and more. I urge everyone using dating sites to be cautious, especially when meeting someone for the first time in a non-public setting,” Hayden said.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.