Officers Apprehend Suspects Wanted in a String of Early Morning Armed Robberies- Two Of the victims were shot

During the early morning hours of Sunday, July 8, 2012, officers responded to a crime spree involving five separate armed robberies.  Two of the victims suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

The suspects robbed five different individuals beginning at 6:03am on Howard Ave in Dorchester and ending at approximately 8:00am on Regent Street in Roxbury.

Victims state the suspects fled the scene in a green station wagon. A description of the suspect’s motor vehicle was broadcast over all channels of the police radio. Victims state Items taken included wallets and cell phones.

At approximately 10:15am, officers located a motor vehicle that matched the description of the suspect’s car in the area of 242 Warren Street. The officers set up a perimeter and initiated surveillance of the car. Officers noticed one of the suspects appeared to be sleeping in the front passenger seat. Minutes later, the driver returned and officers promptly moved in apprehending both suspects. Officers recovered a firearm during a search of one of the suspects.

The Boston Police Department would like to acknowledge and commend all the hard work put in by the officers and detectives assigned to Districts B-2, D-4, C-11, and E-18, as well as, members of the Fugitive and Apprehension Unit, Youth Violence Strike Force and Neighborhood Drug Control Unit. Thanks to their quick and comprehensive and well-coordinated efforts, the suspects in the case are now in police custody.

Officers arrested Carlos Rivera, 24, of Boston and charged him with Assault & Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (2 counts), Armed Robbery (5 counts), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and Carrying a Loaded Firearm on a Public Way.

Officers arrested Eric Cruz, 23, of Boston and charged him with Assault & Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (2 counts), Armed Robbery (5 counts), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and Carrying a Loaded Firearm on a Public Way.

Incident #1:

At about 6:03am, on Sunday, July 8, 2012, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a Shotspotter activation for shots fired in the area of 94 Howard Avenue in Dorchester. On arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, suffering from non-life threatening injuries, was transported to the Boston Medical Center. Officers further learned that the individual had been a victim of a robbery.

Incident #2:

At about 6:30am, on Sunday, July 8, 2012, officers from District D-4 (South End) responded to a call for an armed robbery in the area of Jersey & Queensberry Streets. On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who stated that he was walking to work when the suspect approached him from behind, showed a firearm and stated, “Give me everything.” After being robbed, the victim states that he observed the suspect enter a blue or green station wagon that fled the area. .

Incident #3:

At about 7:15am, on Sunday, July 8, 2012, officers from District E-18 (Hyde Park) were flagged down in the area of American Legion Highway & Hyde Park Ave by a female stating that she had been robbed in the area of 11 Collins Street. According to the victim, she was walking along Collins Street when a light skinned male approached, showed a firearm and demanded money. After being robbed, the victim states that she observed the suspect enter a green motor vehicle and flee the area. Officers promptly broadcast a description of the suspect’s motor vehicle, including the car’s license place, over the police radio.

Incident #4:

At about 7:35am, on Sunday, July 8, 2012, officers from District C-11 (Dorchester) responded to a radio call for a person robbed and shot in the area of 47 Sydney Street in Dorchester. On arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The victim, suffering non-life threatening injuries, was transported to the Boston Medical Center.

Incident #5:

At about 7:54am, on Sunday, July 8, 2012, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a radio call for an armed robbery in the area of Regent & Herman Streets. While en route to the call, officers were informed via the police dispatcher that the victim had been robbed by a Hispanic male who fled the area in a green motor vehicle. On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who stated that she was walking in the area of Regent & Herman Streets when the suspect approached her, showed a firearm and demanded all of her property. After being robbed, the victim states that she observed the suspect enter a green motor vehicle and flee the area.