Police are investigating an armed robbery Tuesday night at JC’s Corner Variety Store, 377 Cedar St.

Police were called to the store at 7:48 p.m. when a clerk reported that two men entered the store armed with a suspected firearm. The two men forced their way behind the counter, with one of the men jumping over it.

The clerk said one of the men pointed the suspected firearm at him and demanded money.

The men stole cash, and cartons and packs of cigarettes and food from the counter, which they placed in a backpack. They fled on foot north on Cedar Street, followed by a blue Chevy Trailblazer that might have been involved.

The males were described as white males in their early 20s dressed in black clothing with black hooded sweatshirts.

 Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 508-991-6350 or the anonymous tip line at 508-992-7463 or e-mail tip@newbedfordpd.com.

Video by Carlos Pimentel Felix

Wow! Dartmouth High School senior, Colby Lima, recently visited the Boys & Girls Club in New Bedford to speak to Club members about why he decided to coordinate a book drive.

“I wanted to think of a way to help others and decided to organize a book drive due to my love of reading.” Colby shared with the boys and girls, “Growing up I always enjoyed reading and wanted to share the experience with other kids who might not have that opportunity for various reasons. I decided to name the project “Wish Upon a Page – Give the Gift of Knowledge”. Colby explained that he was overwhelmed by the generous support from his fellow Dartmouth High School students and also donors who recently dropped off books at Shaw’s in Dartmouth.

“Starting out, I never expected to be able to collect so many great books and I was surprised that so many people came out to support my love of learning and goal of sharing with others,” he said.

Colby, along with his mom and sister, hung out with Club members for over an hour answering questions and helping them to find an appropriate book to bring home. He said, “I hope my project will inspire other kids to reach out and to use their imaginations to find ways to help others too.” Colby’s future endeavors include going to college to pursue an English degree and eventually become a teacher.

A 37-year-old Fall River man indicted for striking a Massachusetts State Police Cruiser, fleeing the scene and distributing heroin was sentenced last week to serve five to six years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today.

Eric Almeida pleaded guilty last Thursday in Fall River Superior Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (habitual offender), operating a motor vehicle to endanger (habitual offender), leaving the scene of property damage (habitual offender), possession with intent to distribute heroin (habitual offender) and possession of cocaine.

On November 20, 2015, while the defendant was driving in The City of New Bedford, an Environmental Police Officer attempted to stop the defendant’s vehicle after the defendant was witnessed obstructing an intersection on South Front Street.

The defendant chose to flee and led Massachusetts State Police, Environmental Police and New Bedford Police on a chase through various sections of the city. During the chase, the defendant struck a police cruiser in an effort to get away. No one was injured in the crash.

The defendant eventually left his vehicle in a parking lot on South Street and fled on foot before being apprehended by Massachusetts State Police troopers.

The defendant was found to be in possession of 36 bags of heroin and a small amount of cocaine.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Aaron Strojny and the sentence was handed down by Judge Raffi Yessayan.

“This defendant has a history of dealing drugs,” said District Attorney Quinn. “This sentence will keep him off the streets for up to six years, which is necessary to protect the community and stop him from selling drugs.”

New Bedford police report five overdoses in New Bedford on Monday, January 16th, 2017; three heroin overdoses and two prescription medication overdoses. The heroin overdoses involved a 43-year old male, 66-year old male and a 31-year old female. The overdoses occurred on Union Street, New Plainville Road, Acushnet Ave, Tallman Street, and Linden Street. 

Police are stepping up patrols after three armed robberies believed to be related, two at the same location, were reported at area convenience stores.

At 7:24 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, police received a report of armed robbery at XtraMart, 117 Durfee St. A clerk told police a white man wearing a black hoodie, grey sweatpants showed a stun gun-like device to the clerk, stole money and fled west on Durfee Street and south on Caroline Street, where he possibly got into a tan older vehicle.

At 9:26 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 at the same location, police received a report of a black male, 20 to 30 years old and about 5’6’’ tall robbed the store, brandishing a stun gun-like device. The suspect was said to be wearing black pants, a black hooded jacket and a black bandana with purple markings. He stole cash and then may have fled on a bicycle, headed west on Durfee Street.

At 7:11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Bizarro Food Mart, 556 Kempton St. The clerk told police a suspect described as a male wearing black pants, black shirt and a winter hat with his face covered displayed a black cylindrical object. He stole cash and then left the store, headed north on Newton St.

New Bedford police are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 508-991-6350 or the anonymous tip line at 508-992-7463 or e-mail tip@newbedfordpd.com.

Yesterday, at about 12:19 a.m., Troopers Kyle Duarte and Paul Minahan responded to the Mobil Gas Station on Route 24 South for an armed robbery investigation. The store clerk said he was held up by a male subject wearing a green jacket and dark hoodie brandishing a small hand saw. He stole $82.00 from the register and eight packs of Marlboro cigarettes. The subject quickly fled the store in a dark gray vehicle.

During their investigation, troopers overheard radio transmissions that Brockton PD then West Bridgewater PD was in pursuit of a gray vehicle. West Bridgewater Police stopped the vehicle on Route 24 North in West Bridgewater but the operator fled and ran across the highway toward the median and onto the southbound side toward the wood line. Troopers Duarte and Minihan responded to assist.

A female passenger, identified as JENNIFER MURPHY, 28 of Brockton was placed under arrest for possession of Class B, crack cocaine which was located on the front passenger seat. A search of her person recovered the 8 packs of Marlboro cigarettes stolen from the Mobil gas Station. MURPHY was transported to the State Police Barracks in Middleboro where she was booked and charged with possession of Class B Crack Cocaine and Receiving Stolen Property under $250. West Bridgewater Police Sergeant Russell Regan assisted.

As a result of a search of the motor vehicle, a small hand saw, a green jacket and a $10.00 bill was located and seized as evidence.

At approximately 1:46 a.m., Trooper Minihan and West Bridgewater Officer Flaherty and his K9 located the male operator, later identified as JAMES ELLIS, 45 of Berkley, in the area of Manley Street in West Bridgewater. A glass pipe believed to contain crack cocaine residue was found in ELLIS’ pants pocket. ELLIS was transported to the State Police Barracks in Middleboro where he was booked and then transported to the Plymouth House of Correction where he will be held pending his arraignment in Brockton District Court on Tuesday.

JAMES ELLIS was charged with the following offenses:

1. Armed Robbery

2. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon to wit: Small Hand Saw

3. Threat to Commit a Crime

4. Intimidation of a Witness

5. Possession of Class B (2 counts)

6. Possession of a Dangerous Weapon

7. Larceny Over $250

8. Larceny Under $250

9. Default Warrant

voters being asked as part of the recent presidential election ballot whether another slot casino license should be granted.

The MGM resort in Springfield is slated for a 2018 opening and will be the first big-name casino to open in the state. MGM are taking a huge gamble on Massachusetts becoming a successful gaming hub and have committed millions to the Springfield project. The Wynn Boston Harbour is also taking advantage of the relaxation of casino licenses in the state, breaking ground in 2014. This huge complex will not only feature a hotel and casino, but public amenities such as parks, boating docks and gardens.

One casino is already open to the public, offering modern slot gaming to the general public. Horse racing has been popular in Massachusetts for decades and the states only racetrack, Plainridge Park, is now home to a luxury casino which opened in 2015. The main gambling floor features slot machines, video poker and video blackjack. Make sure you brush up on your blackjack skills by reading a comprehensive blackjack guide before paying a visit.

It is clear that Massachusetts will continue to develop their gaming industry to benefit from an increasing interest in gambling and a more relaxed government outlook toward licensing and regulation. When president elect Donald Trump is sworn in in 2017, it will be interesting to see if the deals for big casino and resort brands will get better and possibly even become incentivised. Trump himself has invested heavily in resorts and casinos, so it may become more likely that the Massachusetts gaming regulators will continue to take steps to become more like Nevada.

The Plainridge Casino has not only shown what the state is capable of, but has also debunked the link between casinos and crime over a yearlong study. This should hopefully pave the way for more successful resorts to appear throughout the state and help Massachusetts develop into a world-class gambling destination.

Yesterday (January 15) at 1:45 a.m., Massachusetts State Trooper Sergio Figueiredo stopped a gray 2003 Honda Accord on Route 84 in Sturbridge after it failed to move over for an ambulance with lights and sirens on. There were four men inside the Honda and Trooper Figueiredo witnessed them shoving something under the seats inside the vehicle. He also saw a large sticker on the rear of the vehicle that read ‘TRABA 24K’ with a silhouette of a rooster pictured on it.

Trooper Figuerido observed that a bag under one of the car seat’s was moving, and he heard noises coming from inside it. He radioed for backup.

The four occupants of the vehicle were removed and Trooper Figueiredo, who has hens of his own at home, recognized what sounded like hen or rooster noises coming from inside one of the bags.

The sounds were, in fact, those of a rooster, and inside two laundry bags and a plastic garbage bag, -a total of three roosters were located. The animals were in poor condition and Trooper Figueiredo feared at first that two of them were dead. The roosters had no feathers left on them below the neck and chest area and were covered with gouges on their breasts, legs and heads. Also inside the vehicle were a bag containing several rolls of medical tape, nail files, a block of wax, long sharp acrylic talons, and a container of styptic powder which is used to stop bleeding.

The four men were placed under arrest for animal cruelty and other charges and the Sturbridge Animal Control Officer was contacted to assist with the roosters. The birds were taken to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in Grafton where they are being provided with medical care. All four were transported to the State Police Barracks in Sturbridge where they were booked and later released on $500 bail each.

The four men have been identified as 26-year-old WINTON HERNANDEZ, 54-year-old CESAREO RUIZ, 22-year-old WILLIAM MORALES and 23-year-old ERICK LORA-LOPEZ, all from Lawrence. All four face charges including:

1. Animal Cruelty
2. Animal Fight, Keeping or Promoting
3. Conspiracy

The driver of the vehicle, WINTON HERNANDEZ, was also charged with obstructing an emergency vehicle.

Anyone who witnesses or suspects animal cruelty is urged to call the Animal Rescue League at 617-226-5610.

Take a ride through New Bedford and chances are you’ll pass a few panhandlers with signs asking for money. They seem to be standing on every busy intersection in the city. The most lucrative spots even cause turf wars with panhandlers assaulting each other, sometimes with a weapon. The number of panhandlers in New Bedford have grown in number because word spreads and a migration of sorts occurs, drawing more of them into the city. The reverse is possible. 

Last year I wrote an article, Don’t blame the panhandlers, blame the people that give to them. If everyone suddenly stopped giving panhandlers money, they number of panhandlers in New Bedford would be significantly reduced or eliminated. Or do you think they would just hang out at a busy intersection with nothing to show for it?

The reality is, while some use the money to survive, many, if not most, use the money for drugs and alcohol. The increase in panhandlers coming to New Bedford is likely a contributing factor to the 75% increase in drug overdoses the city in 2016. 

While people that give to panhandlers have good intentions, there is a good chance they are simply enabling addiction and attracting more panhandlers to New Bedford. How would you feel if you bought the heroin that caused the overdose death of a panhandler? 

There is an alternative to make sure your funds goes to food and housing: donation machines. 

The City, or a non-profit organization, should set up donation machines at key spots throughout New Bedford. These machines are like parking/change machines, but the funds go to services for the poor. They could be set up so those donating could select where their money goes – a pantry, a homeless shelter, a transition house or service. 

See a panhandler and feel bad? Pull over, give some money to the machine and the funds will go to a local charity. This will ensure that you are contributing to feeding, clothing or housing people, not feeding their addiction. 

In Spain, charities installed solidarity machines to boost food bank donations with great results. These machines can get food and services to those most in need while reducing the number of panhandlers. The panhandlers who are truly in need of services will get help and those just looking to feed their habit will move on.

It’s time to try something different because the growing panhandling numbers are not subsiding. When you give to a panhandler you do not know where the money goes, but with these machines you will. 

Members of the New Bedford Police Department narcotics unit arrested a 45-year-old New Bedford man with a long criminal history Saturday after more than a kilo of cocaine valued at $100,000 was found in a package he received in the mail.

Ivan Fontanez, 45, of 242 Austin St., was charged with trafficking in cocaine over 1,000 grams, distribution of class B substance (cocaine), subsequent offense, and carrying weapons or instruments on a person.

The arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation into shipment of narcotics from Puerto Rico through the U.S. mail.

Police observed that, after a package was delivered in the mail to a Weld Street address. Mr. Fontanez was arrested after leaving the address. He also carried an illegal knife in his pocket.

The package contained cocaine weighing 1,036 grams. He also had small amount of cash in his possession.

He has previously been convicted of distribution/dispensing class A substance (heroin) in 1994 and sentenced to serve two years in prison. He was also sentenced to serve 24 months in federal prison in 1999 for possession of a firearm. In 2011, he was sentenced in Superior Court to serve four years and one day for possession of a firearm. He has 78 arraignments as an adult on charge including numerous distributions of illegal narcotics, several possessions of a firearm without a permit, and discharging of a firearm.

He was injured Dec. 28, 2016 in a shooting on Nye Street. He is being held at Ash Street jail pending his arraignment Tuesday at Third District Court. He was arrested at Saturday at 1:16 p.m.