New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Two men have been arrested in connection with a rash of stun gun robberies in New Bedford and surrounding towns. Over the course of the last several days, detective Tyrone Jones along with other members of the New Bedford Police Detective division, being assisted by Trooper David Reis of the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) conducted surveillance of a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer that was believed to be the getaway vehicle in the robberies.
Last night at approximately 10pm, detectives converged on the vehicle after it parked behind a Cumberland Farms near Wareham Crossing in that town. Both the robber, Rashaun Raheem Burgess, and his alleged lookout, Carlos Martinez, were taken into custody without incident. Rashaun had the clothing matching the previous robberies and the pink stun gun was located in his vehicle. He was also in possession of a knife. Detectives feel they were in the process of committing an armed robbery at the store and decided to converge on the suspects.
Mr. Burgess is being charged with the following incidents in New Bedford:
- 5/11 Armed Robbery of the One Stop gas station at Route 6 and 140
- 5/18 Armed Robbery of the Brock Ave. Variety Store
- 5/23 Armed Robbery of the Al Prime Energy on Rockdale Ave.
- 5/29 Attempted Armed Robbery of the Cumberland Farms on Ashley Boulevard
- 5/30 Attempted Armed Robbery of the Cumberland Farms on Acushnet Ave.
Mr. Martinez acted as the lookout in the below listed robberies and is being charged as a joint venturer. In each instance he would enter the store and make a small purchase while surveying the business. Within minutes of him leaving, his cohort would then enter the store and commit the robbery. Both would then flee the scene in the Trailblazer that is registered to Mr. Burgess.
- 5/11 Armed Robbery of the One Stop gas station at Route 6 and 140
- 5/23 Armed Robbery of the Al Prime Energy on Rockdale Ave.
- 5/29 Attempted Armed Robbery of the Cumberland Farms on Ashley Boulevard
- 5/30 Attempted Armed Robbery of the Cumberland Farms on Acushnet Ave.
Det. Tyrone Jones has been in contact with Detectives from Fall River, Taunton, and Fairhaven who also had similar robberies in their cities. He anticipates the suspects being charged in a similar fashion.
Both men will be arraigned this morning in New Bedford district court on numerous robbery charges.
