MBTA Transit Police Charge Retiree with Theft

MBTA Transit Police today announced that investigators have filed criminal charges in Boston Municipal Court against 69-year old Robert Gibson of Revere. A 20-year MBTA employee who retired October 1st, 2006, Gibson is charged with larceny by scheme.

Transit Police allege that Gibson, an electrician who repaired fare vending and collection equipment, was stealing money on a fairly regular basis while employed at the MBTA. When Transit Police interviewed Gibson at his house last Thursday, he showed police where he had the money stored. Transit Police recovered more than $40,000 in coins and tokens. Gibson had the money stashed in his basement and wrapped in small paper bags from local coffee shops. The bags were then concealed within 5-gallon plastic drums. Transit Police carried 17 plastic drums from the suspect’s residence as well as other types of containers filled with coins and tokens.

The Transit Police Internal Security Unit began the investigation in January when an employee reported observing unusual behavior involving Gibson at Wellington Station. On repeated occasions, Gibson was observed placing numerous tokens (each with a value of $1.25) into fare vending machines and obtaining new CharlieCards. Gibson would place the maximum amount of $100 on each CharlieCard. The investigation revealed that he had redeemed at least 3,500 tokens in exchange for more than 45 CharlieCards. Video from the MBTA’s expanding network of surveillance cameras shows Gibson obtaining the CharlieCards.

“This case illustrates one of the important reasons for implementing the CharlieCard system,” said MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas. “This totally automated fare collection system provides us with the technology and auditing tools necessary to properly manage our revenues and account for every dollar that comes into the MBTA.” Grabauskas also commended both Transit Police and the MBTA Fare Collection Department for working jointly in the revealing the alleged scheme and recovering stolen funds.

Transit Police Deputy Chief Paul MacMillan described this incident as a perfect example of employees reporting unusual behavior and the police acting on the information. “See Something Say Something” doesn’t apply just to terroist type behavior. This is exactly the type of cooperation that is necessary for us to provide a safe and secure transit system,” MacMillan added. “There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that we will thoroughly investigate and prosecute any employee who violates the public trust,” MacMillan added.

Gibson will be arraigned on March 21st in Boston Municipal Court.