A burglar who allegedly broke into a ritzy $18million Massachusetts mansion and stole a Porsche was the ex-boyfriend of the housemaid.
Emajae Brown, 25, of Lynn, and his unidentified co-conspirator allegedly broke into 34 Paine Avenue, an iconic Beverly mansion known as 'Rocks Edge,' once owned by legendary tennis player Eleonora R. Sears, on March 28.
Brown and the other assailant allegedly held the maid at gunpoint while wearing masks inside the 11-bedroom home, which is owned by Thomas J. Swan III, the Co-CEO and Director of The Swan Group, who was not home at the time.
Swan told The Boston Globe the woman was a caretaker and a family friend, and she was forced to walk around the mansion at gunpoint and was dragged by her hair down staircases before being left tied up in the garage.
The maid managed to escape and call police at a neighbor's home after Brown and his co-conspirator left the home with a loot of gold, watches, and Swan's Porsche.
Brown had allegedly been romantically involved with a different housemaid, who was not there at the time of the incident. His ex-girlfriend currently has domestic violence charges pressed against him, prosecutors said, according to NBC Boston.
Brown was identified as one of the assailants by his sandals, which were seen in surveillance footage, the outlet reported.
They were able to track Brown back to Swan's luxury vehicle through the footage.
Emajae Brown, 25, of Lynn, appeared in court in Massachusetts for allegedly breaking into 34 Paine Avenue in Beverly on March 28. He pleaded not guilty
The mansion, also known as Rocks Edge, was vacant except for one maid when Brown and his co-conspirator allegedly broke in
The home is currently owned by Thomas J. Swan III, the Co-CEO and Director of The Swan Group, who was not home at the time
'They went and pulled the Encore tapes and were able to view the same subject wearing the same sandals that were observed by the police on the other cameras,' prosecutors said.
He allegedly took the stolen jewelry to a dealer in New York City to sell it, prosecutors said.
Brown pleaded not guilty to his charges of home invasion, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, witness intimidation, armed assault in a dwelling, armed burglary, breaking and entering at night, larceny of a motor vehicle, and larceny over $1,200.
He is expected back in court on April 21 for another hearing.
Swan purchased the 27,000-square-foot home, called Rocks Edge, for $18.2million in 2023. It is located roughly 40 minutes outside of Boston.
The picturesque property has deep historical roots and is best known for its breathtaking shoreline view.
It was commissioned by in the early 1900s by Marian Sargent, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson, according to American Aristocracy.
The 11-bedroom, 14-bathroom home was then owned by the Alger family, Detroit-based industrial elites.
Brown allegedly stole Swan's Porsche as well as gold and watches from the home. He also allegedly tied up the maid and held her at gunpoint. He had previously had an alleged relatinship with a different housemaid
Swan purchased the home in 2023 for $18million. Legendary tennis champion, Eleonora R. Sears, previously owned the home in the 1940s
In 1940, Eleonora R. Sears, a legendary American tennis champion and socialite, lived in the home until her death in 1968.
Prior to Swan purchasing the Georgian Revival-style mansion, Charlie Benevento lived there and oversaw a massive, multi-year renovation alongside interior designer Linda Zarifi.
Benevento then put it on the market in 2021, selling for more than $18million - the most the home has ever sold for.
The home sits on the water's edge with acres of land to enjoy. It has a stone wall protecting it from the sea below and it has access to the small beach below.
The back patio of the home is large with plenty of space for entertainment and breathtaking views of the water.
The home itself is full of natural light and modern touches, with French doors and a large winding staircase leading to the upper levels.