Repeat Offender Charged in Boston Chinatown Break-Ins

Man already serving time for similar crimes faces new charges for 2021 restaurant burglaries.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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James Schaff, a 59-year-old Boston man, was arraigned on new charges last week for two break-ins at Chinatown restaurants in 2021. Schaff, who is already serving time for prior break-in convictions, allegedly used bricks and cinder blocks to break into the Asian Garden and Irashai Sushi restaurants, stealing cash from the registers. Investigators were able to use DNA evidence to link Schaff to the crimes.

Why it matters

The new charges against Schaff highlight the ongoing challenge of repeat offenders and property crimes in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood. The district attorney's office has worked with local law enforcement and business owners to target high-volume, repeat, and violent offenders through initiatives like the Safe Shopping Program.

The details

According to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, Schaff broke into the Asian Garden restaurant on Harrison Avenue in February 2021 by throwing a cinder block through a window, then stole $8 in bills and between $100 and $200 in rolled coins from the register. In July of the same year, Schaff allegedly broke into Irashai Sushi on Kneeland Street using a brick to break the glass front door, and made off with $1,100 from the register.

  • Schaff allegedly broke into the Asian Garden restaurant in February 2021.
  • Schaff allegedly broke into Irashai Sushi in July 2021.
  • Schaff pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering at nighttime on Friday, February 10, 2026.
  • Schaff was sentenced to one year in prison with six months to serve, and the rest of the sentence suspended for one year on both dockets.
  • Schaff will appear back in court for a pre-trial hearing on March 6, 2026.

The players

James Schaff

A 59-year-old Boston man who has been charged with new break-ins at Chinatown restaurants in 2021, on top of prior convictions for similar crimes.

Kevin Hayden

The Suffolk District Attorney who announced the new charges against Schaff and discussed the efforts to target repeat, high-volume, and violent offenders through initiatives like the Safe Shopping Program.

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What they’re saying

“Schaff's prior convictions make clear that he posed a threat to our merchants. Now we have additional offenses illustrating how much of a threat he really was.”

— Kevin Hayden, Suffolk District Attorney (bostonherald.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on March 6 whether to allow Schaff to be released on bail while awaiting trial for the new charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of repeat offenders and property crimes in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood, and the efforts by local law enforcement and the district attorney's office to target high-volume, repeat, and violent offenders through initiatives like the Safe Shopping Program.