There will be no movies about this Charlestown robbery suspect.

Failed stickup man JOHN J. AHEARN (D.O.B. 1/8/81) admitted Wednesday to a string of robberies – only one of which was successful – in that neighborhood from late 2010 to spring 2011, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Ahearn pleaded guilty to armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery for the attempted robbery of a cab driver near a Main Street convenience store in December 2010; unarmed robbery for a stickup at the same shop in April 2011; and armed assault with intent to rob and assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident at a Dunkin’ Donuts a few hours later.

Assistant District Attorney David Bradley of Conley’s Major Felony Bureau recommended a total of eight to 10 years in state prison and probation upon his release. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders sentenced him to a term of five to six years followed by three years of probation. During that time he must undergo an evaluation for drug dependence, take part in any treatment deemed necessary, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and take random drug tests.

Had the cases proceeded to trial, Bradley would have proven that Ahearn confronted a cab driver outside the Tedeschi’s Food Shop on Main Street at about 1:15 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2010. As the driver – who had just left the store – reached for the rate book inside his taxi, Ahearn produced a knife and demanded the victim’s money.

“No way,” the victim said, heading back to the store for assistance. Bradley would have shown that Ahearn cut the victim on the hand as the man pushed past him and into the store, where he asked employees to call police. Rather than flee, Bradley would have demonstrated, Ahearn waited until the driver came back out and confronted him again. Boston Police arriving moments later found the two men grappling and recovered a knife from Ahearn’s pocket during his arrest.

Bradley would also have shown that Ahearn was free on $2500 cash bail for that incident when he walked into the same Tedeschi’s at about 10:40 p.m. on April 6, 2011, and went to the Lottery station. He asked a fellow patron for a dollar, which that man refused to give him. After that man purchased a ticket, Ahearn handed the clerk a note written on the back of a Lottery slip.

“Give me the money or I will kill you,” the note read.

As the cashier opened the register, Bradley would have demonstrated, Ahearn drew attention to his left hand, which was in his jacket pocket as if holding a weapon, and said, “Give me a hundred.”

The clerk gave him that amount and no more, Bradley would have shown, and Ahearn fled the scene on foot. Responding Boston Police detectives spoke with the store manager, who retrieved the surveillance footage and immediately identified the assailant as Ahearn, recognizing him from previous encounters. The clerk on duty was later able to identify Ahearn from a photo array.

Apparently emboldened by his success, Ahearn went to the Dunkin’ Donuts on Austin Street just after 5:00 a.m. on April 7, 2011. After ordering a coffee and a donut, the evidence would have shown, Ahearn gave the cashier a note written on the back of a napkin.

“Give me a hundred dollars and don’t scream,” the note read.

When the clerk said she couldn’t open the register, Bradley would have demonstrated, Ahearn produced from his pocket a metal implement, believed to be an icepick or screwdriver, about six inches long. In response, another employee picked up a large knife and told him, “We don’t want any trouble.”
Neither, it seemed, did Ahearn, who ran from the shop.

Later the same morning, Boston Police detectives presented the second employee with a photo array containing Ahearn’s picture. The employee identified Ahearn as the assailant with what he termed 98% certainty.

Armed with these identifications, Boston Police began searching for Ahearn throughout the neighborhood. At about 10:15 that night, they spotted him on Main Street right next to the Tedeschi’s he’d robbed 24 hours earlier. He was taken into custody after a short chase and brief struggle.

Ahearn was represented by attorney Susan Rayburn.