For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
*Joint Release*
Two Suspects in Taunton and Raynham Robberies Arrested
TAUNTON — Taunton Police Chief Edward James Walsh and Raynham Police Chief James Donovan report that a 19-year-old and 17-year-old, both males, were charged with robbing multiple businesses in Taunton, Raynham, and Rhode Island, last week.
After a multi-agency investigation, MIGUEL GONZALEZ, AGE 19, OF STOUGHTON was arrested Thursday night, Dec. 7 in Taunton. On Saturday morning, a 17-YEAR-OLD MALE SUSPECT FROM TAUNTON turned himself in to the Taunton Police Department.
GONZALEZ AND THE 17-YEAR-OLD are charged by Raynham Police with:
- Armed and masked robbery
- Larceny over $250
- Malicious destruction of property over $250
GONZALEZ AND THE 17-YEAR-OLD are charged by Taunton Police with:
- Unarmed robbery
- Larceny over $250
Because the 17-YEAR-OLD is a minor, his identity will not be disclosed.
The two are expected to face charges out of Rhode Island in connection with a violent robbery where a man was stabbed.
“Thanks to the strong collaborative efforts of the Raynham, Taunton, East Providence and Pawtucket police departments, these violent and dangerous suspects are behind bars,” Chief Donovan said. “As soon as we discovered that these incidents may have been connected, we began immediately working with our partner agencies and the arrests are the result of that joint-effort.”
“This was great work by one of our officers who spotted the suspect’s vehicle and was able to identify him and place him under arrest,” Chief Walsh said. “I want to thank our neighboring police departments for their efforts in this investigation.”
Background:
At approximately 8 p.m. Thursday, a Taunton Police officer was on routine patrol on Weir Street when he spotted a dark-colored Nissan Maxima fitting the description of the vehicle allegedly used in the robberies.
Officers were able to identify the driver as GONZALEZ and placed him under arrest. The 17-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT turned himself in at approximately 11 a.m. at the Taunton Police station on Saturday.
The string of alleged robberies began on Dec. 3 when the Pawtucket, Rhode Island Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at a liquor store. A short time later, East Providence, Rhode Island Police were called to a report of a robbery at a liquor store, where a 68-year-old male customer had been stabbed and suffered serious injuries.
On Dec. 5, Raynham Police received a call about an armed robbery where two masked men with knives robbed the Seasons Corner Market, 442 New State Highway. Raynham Police released video surveillance footage of the robbery to the public to help identify the suspects. The following day, the CVS at 284 Winthrop St., in Taunton, was robbed by two masked men.
GONZALEZ and the JUVENILE SUSPECT have been charged in connection with these incidents. GONZALEZ was arraigned Friday in Taunton District Court. He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Thursday, Dec. 14. He is also being sought for extradition to Rhode Island to face charges in connection with the incidents there.
The 17-YEAR-OLD was arraigned Monday. The details of his arraignment are not public because he is a minor
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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