Man, woman charged after vehicle stolen outside court by using remote control key

A New Bedford man and woman were charged Tuesday after keys were taken from a bin at Third District Court and used to steal a vehicle and phones, wallets and a watch inside the car.

The victim had dropped the key into the bin before going through a metal detector to enter the courthouse.

A man identified as Clifton Jefferson, 23, of 37 Ashley St. Apt. 2, New Bedford, then took the keys from the bin and, using the remote control key, was able to locate the vehicle, a 2012 Hyundai.

Mr. Jefferson was a passenger in the car, which was driven by Sheena Louise Andrade, 34, of 777 County St. Apt. 3, New Bedford. Ms Andrade drove the vehicle to the area of 185 MacArthur Drive, where police located the car. The vehicle pulled into the parking lot of the Waterfront Grille, 36 Homer’s Wharf, and Mr. Jefferson and Ms. Andrade began walking toward Fairfield Inn at 188 MacArthur Drive where they were stopped by police.

Ms. Andrade did not have a valid license to drive and was found in possession of a phone which was one of the items the victim reported stolen.

Mr. Jefferson is charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and five counts of larceny over $250.

Ms. Andrade was charged with receiving stolen property, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and receiving stolen property over $250.

The victim reported that the vehicle had contained two other cell phones, an iPhone watch and two wallets.

The cell phone found in Ms. Andrade’s possession was the only item located. The incident was reported at about 10:45 a.m.