New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On January 13, 2021 Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to Troop F responded to reports of an armed carjacking at a Massport property on Summer Street in South Boston. As a result, two suspects were later identified: one as AVONTE TAYLOR, 18, of Dorchester and the second as a 17-year-old juvenile from Hyde Park. The juvenile was later surrendered by her mother to Boston Police as a result of press coverage of the carjacking with photos of the suspects on the nightly news. The juvenile was processed by Troop F detectives and awaits trial at the Juvenile Division of the Boston Municipal Court.
TAYLOR remained at large and evidence suggests he conducted three additional carjackings during February 2021. In all incidents, TAYLOR would have an unknowing third party order a rideshare vehicle on his behalf and have them drive him to the parking lot of the Massport property where the initial incident took place. At that location, TAYLOR would carjack the victim. Troop F detectives were assisted by Boston Police Detectives assigned to C-6 South Boston; the agencies worked collaboratively in obtaining evidence and canvassing witnesses. Troopers assigned to the State Police Crime Scene Services Section processed one of the vehicles and obtain fingerprint evidence identifying TAYLOR. Area surveillance cameras captured the incidents and photo arrays obtained by the State Police Fusion Center led Troopers toward TAYLOR. The Boston Regional Intelligence Center and the Commonwealth Fusion Center sent out officer safety bulletins identifying TAYLOR during this time.
On February 26 Trooper Christopher Fraser applied for, and received, warrants through the South Boston District Court charging TAYLOR with the carjackings described above. TAYLOR was contacted directly and through family members but refused to surrender to Troop F Detectives. As a result of TAYLOR’s statements to police and family members, as well as the ever increasing threat of violence displayed by TAYLOR toward his victims, Troop F Detectives met with the Boston Police Fugitive Unit and the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section to devise a plan to apprehend TAYLOR.
Today at approximately 12:30 p.m. TAYLOR was located walking on East Broadway in South Boston by members of the MSP and BPD violent arrest squads. TAYLOR was taken into custody without incident then transported to Troop F for booking. A bail commissioner was contacted and ordered TAYLOR to be held without bail.
