Two men were arrested for the July 26 shooting of two men at Petro Mart on Coggeshall Street in New Bedford to include a leader in the New Bedford Black Lives Matter movement.

According to New Bedford police, 24-year old Tyrell Woodis-Pina of Fairhaven and Giovanni Vale-Valentin of New Bedford have both been charged with discharging a firearm along with numerous weapons-related offenses. Another suspect, 23-year old Brian Ortiz of 2110 Phillips Rd. Apt. #19 in New Bedford, remains at large. A warrant is out for his arrest on numerous firearms-related charges.

Tyrell Woodis-Pina, a resident of Fairhaven, is one of the two people that manage the New Bedford Black Lives Matter Facebook page with over 1,600 followers and has been at many of the Black Lives Matter protests in New Bedford earlier this year. Here’s Tyrell Woodis-Pina live on the Black Lives Matter Facebook page on July 23rd complaining that the police arrested his pregnant girlfriend.

Woodis-Pina’s Facebook page shows him at a Black Lives Matter rally in New Bedford during the day of June 2nd:

According to New Bedford records, Woodis-Pina was one of two people arrested for disorderly conduct the night of June 2nd after protesters illegally marched down Route 18.

Earlier in the day on June 2nd, after Black Lives Matters protestors shut down the New Bedford/Fairhaven bridge for a short time, Woodis-Pina threatened physical violence on a New Bedford Guide reporter (me) while simply covering the protest.

Woodis-Pina messaged New Bedford Guide to remove some protest photos that were sent to us and posted. He sent us a private message on May 30:

These are the photos, sent to use by someone at the protest, Woodis-Pina was concerned about:

Woodis-Pina states that he was shot last year and posted about going to court in March:

Woodis-Pina messaged us in October, telling us that his uncle shot him.

Since the death of George Floyd the vast majority of Black Lives Matters protesters in New Bedford and throughout the south coast, Massachusetts area have been peaceful. Black Lives Matter groups in places like New Bedford are unofficially organized and anyone can step up to be a leader. According to the Black Lives Matters New Bedford’s page transparency, two people run the page and since Tyrell Woodis-Pina went live from the page, he is one of them. While Tyrell Woodis-Pina is not the leader of the New Bedford Black Lives Matter movement, he is a leader in the movement with over 1,600 Facebook followers and active in the protests.

Jonovan Gonzalez, 27, of New Bedford will be arraigned this morning in New Bedford District Court on charges connected to the Tuesday night homicide of a 41-year-old man in New Bedford, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

The defendant is charged with murder, carrying an illegal firearm, and carrying a loaded illegal firearm. He was taken into custody on Wednesday evening by New Bedford Police.

The arraignment will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gillian Kirsch, who has coordinated the investigation for the district attorney’s office since Tuesday night.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to this office, New Bedford Police and Homicide Unit prosecutors continue to actively investigate the homicide.

At 9:51 pm on Tuesday, New Bedford Police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 139 Dartmouth Street. When police and paramedics arrived on the scene, they located the male victim outside of 139 Dartmouth Street.

The victim, later identified as Ausarmaat Rahotep, 41, of New Bedford, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency room doctors, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died at 10:16 p.m.

The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of the deceased and will conduct an autopsy.

At about 11:50 AM on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, officers assigned to District A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for an armed robbery in the area of 1 Avenue De LaFayette (Hyatt Regency) in Boston. On arrival, officers were met by the victim who stated he had met the female suspect on an online dating app.

The victim stated the suspect met the victim in the lobby before they made their way back to the suspect’s hotel room where they had a conversation lasting approximately thirty minutes. The victim stated the suspect pulled out a taser and held it to the victim while she rummaged through his pockets. The victim stated the suspect stole over one hundred dollars from him before he was able to run out of the room. The victim stated he notified the hotel’s security staff who in turn called police.

Officers proceeded up to the suspect’s hotel room where they were met by the suspect who denied knowing the victim. The suspect stated she had never seen the victim before. As officers continued to try to ascertain what had actually occurred between the two parties, the suspect became completely uncooperative. The suspect eventually started FaceTiming another male before officers located a pink taser on top of the suspect’s luggage. Officers recovered the taser and the suspect was taken into custody.

Officers arrested Selena Rivera-Apodaca, 24-years-old, of Kent, Washington. Rivera-Apodaca is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on the charge of Armed Robbery.

A protected piping plover chick was illegally removed from a RI beach last week by vacationers who brought it home to MA.

When the chick became ill, it was brought to a wildlife rehabilitator. Despite the best efforts of veterinarians, the chick had become too weak from the ordeal and died.

An investigation is ongoing. This serves as an important reminder to not disturb or interfere with plovers or other wildlife.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. today Trooper Michael MacDonald and his Field Training Officer, Trooper John Mindek, assigned to State Police Sturbridge, were conducting stationary patrol on Route 84 eastbound in Sturbridge. While they were stationary they observed a gray Volkswagen with a large crack in the windshield. Trooper MacDonald then entered traffic and proceeded to catch up to the vehicle, noting it was being operated at 80 miles per hour where the posted speed limit is 65 mph. He then activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.

Once the vehicle was stopped both Troopers approached it and identified the operator, then informed him why he was stopped. While they were speaking to the operator Trooper MacDonald detected a strong odor of freshly burnt Marijuana. He also observed signs of impairment on all three occupants inside of the vehicle. After subsequent investigation on scene it was determined the operator was under the influence of Marijuana and the vehicle was going to be towed. Additionally, it was discovered his driver’s license was suspended.

Prior to the vehicle getting towed the passengers were asked to exit. The front seat passenger, identified as RASHAAD ELIE, 24, of Malden, immediately began acting strangely and stood in a defensive position, worrying Troopers that he may be concealing a weapon. A pat-frisk of ELIE’s person was conducted and Troopers immediately located a firearm, loaded with a round in the chamber. ELIE did not possess a license to carry firearms. He was cooperative and was placed in custody without incident. Troopers also located numerous pills, believed to be Xanax, in a small fanny pack that was in ELIE’s possession.

ELIE was transported to State Police-Sturbridge where he was booked. The rear seat passenger was released from the scene without charges. A bail commissioner was contacted and placed a bail amount of $1000.00 on ELIE. He is expected to be arraigned at Dudley District Court on the following charges:

1. Carrying a Firearm;
2. Possession of a Firearm without FID Card;
3. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
4. Possession of a Firearm with Two Prior Violent/Drug Convictions;
5. Improper Storage of a Firearm;
6. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card; and
7. Possession of a Class E Drug.

The operator was issued a criminal summons and allowed to leave the scene, he will be required to appear at Dudley District Court in the near future on the following charges:

1. Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License;
2. Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Intoxicating Drugs;
3. Marker Lanes Violation;
4. Speeding; and
5. Equipment Violation (windshield).

New Bedford police have reported three shootings since Sunday, one resulting in the death of a 41-year old man.

New Bedford police were alerted to a shot spotter activation in the 140-block of Myrtle Street around 00:10 am on Wednesday. Police discovered evidence of shots fired, but no injuries were reported.

At 9:51 pm on Tuesday, New Bedford Police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 139 Dartmouth Street. When police and paramedics arrived on the scene, they located a male victim at 139 Dartmouth Street. The victim, later identified as 41-year old Ausarmaat Rahotep of New Bedford, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency room doctors, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died at 10:16 p.m.

There was also a shooting Sunday night. new Bedford police responded to a ShotSpotter activation on Sunday at approximately 3:43 am in the area of 211 Acushnet Ave., near Monte’s Park. Evidence of shots fired was discovered. Police are actively investigating the incident.

This is an update of this article.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to this office, New Bedford Police and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a homicide, which occurred last night in New Bedford.

At 9:51 pm, New Bedford Police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 139 Dartmouth Street. When police and paramedics arrived on scene, they located the male victim outside of 139 Dartmouth Street.

The victim, later identified as Ausarmaat Rahotep, 41, of New Bedford, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital with life threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency room doctors, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died at 10:16 p.m.

The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of the deceased and will conduct an autopsy.

Please remember that leaving pets in hot cars can be deadly, even with windows open.

If you see a pet in a hot car, call 911 first. Under state law, members of the public can then take action to remove the animal if it is in severe distress and the owner cannot be immediately located.

In July Wareham Police responded to a report of two dogs left in the back of a truck with a cap and no ventilation. When they arrived they too air temperature and surface temperatures and the readings ranged from 101-107 degrees inside the enclosed truck bed.

2 months ago the Fairhaven PD reported getting multiple messages asking about the law and the rights of the person who smashes a window of a hot car where a pet or child is inside:

“If it seems the child or animal is in distress we want you to call 911. If it is an emergency and there truly seems to be no option, do what you have to in order to give the child or animal relief from the heat. Break a window that is away from them only if it is urgent to the point that 2-3 minutes may make the difference of saving their life. Keep in mind the car may be running with air conditioning so check the engine closely.

You may not be charged by the police criminally but the person who owns the property could choose to file a criminal or civil charge against you in court. Sadly, that’s the world we live in.”

Here’s what the law says: https://www.newbedfordguide.com/montigny-anti-cruelty-bill-passes-legislature/2016/08/12

On Tuesday, at approximately 9:50 pm, Police responded to the 130 block of Dartmouth Street in New Bedford for a shooting victim. The victim died from their injuries. No further information at this time.

There was also a shooting Sunday night. new Bedford police responded to a ShotSpotter activation on Sunday at approximately 3:43 am in the area of 211 Acushnet Ave., near Monte’s Park. Evidence of shots fired was discovered. Police are actively investigating the incident.

A leader of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy charges.

Eric Thomas a/k/a “King E,” 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Dec. 8, 2020. Thomas was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he had been identified as the leader of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Latin Kings.

During the plea proceedings, Thomas admitted that in August 2019, he conspired with others to purchase cocaine from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. Days later, on Sept. 4, 2019, a co-conspirator was captured in a video recording purchasing 186 grams of cocaine from members of the New Bedford Chapter in a deal facilitated by Thomas.

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

The conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today.

Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.