Detectives Appreciate Community Assistance

On Friday, April 8, 2011, detectives apprehended Michael Gomes, 35, of Boston and charged him with Armed Robbery. Gomes is believed to be responsible for numerous commercial robberies made public by Boston Police last week.

On April 5, 2011, Boston Police detectives released surveillance images of an individual believed to be connected to numerous, recent armed robbery incidents in several sections of the city. Detectives publicized the information hoping community members would come forward with information about the individual in the photos. The community responded and assisted investigators in identifying and locating the whereabouts of Michael Gomes.

At about 2:30pm, on Friday, April 8, 2011, officers from Area C-11 (Dorchester) along with members of the Boston Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Youth Violence Strike Force learned that the suspect, who was wanted in connection to the recent armed robberies, could be located at a residence on Woodgate Street in Mattapan. On arrival, officers asked the person who answered the door if the suspect was inside the home. In answer to the question, the resident stated, “No.” When officers requested permission to search the residence, the resident provided permission and approval.

Prior to entering the home on Woodgate Street, however, officers observed an unidentified male open the shade of a second floor window and then close it abruptly. Given this observation, officers instructed the individual to return to the window. When the individual did as instructed, officers promptly noted that the individual was, in fact, Michael Gomes, the individual wanted in connection to the recent armed robberies.

After a lengthy discussion, officers were able to convince the suspect to exit the residence. Once outside, officers arrested Michael Gomes, 35, of Boston and charged him with Assault & Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon as a result of a prior outstanding warrant. A protective sweep of the location enabled officers to see and take possession of a black firearm, determined to be a replica firearm.

As a result of an ongoing investigation, detectives ascertained information connecting the suspect to the incidents below.

The Boston Police Department would like to thank all the community members who aided this investigation, as well as, the media outlets that distributed the information relative to the case.

Incident Descriptions:

*On April 4, 2011 at 2:38am, a commercial robbery occurred at 715 Morrissey Boulevard (CVS) in Dorchester (C11). The suspect pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money. Suspect described as white Hispanic male, 25 years old, 5’6’’, 180lbs., slim build, brown ‘bushy’ ponytail, light moustache wearing a black baseball cap with “B” on it, black puffy vest and blue jeans with a frayed pocket area.

*On April 4, 2011 at 2:14am, a commercial robbery occurred at 722 Huntington Ave (7 Eleven) in Roxbury (B2). Victim states that a light skinned Hispanic male showed a black handgun and took money from the register. Victim stated that suspect acted as if he intended to purchase and Arizona Ice Tea and then demanded money from the register. Suspect described as light-skinned Hispanic male, mid to late twenties, black baseball cap, frizzy hair with short ponytail, thin moustache, black puffy coat and ripped blue jeans.

*On April 2, 2011 at 5:33am, officers were dispatched to 772 Adams Street (Adams Corner General Store) in Dorchester (C11) for an armed robbery. Victim stated that a light-skinned Hispanic male acted as if he was going to purchase two scratch tickets when he pointed a black firearm at the clerk and demanded money. The suspect, who fits the suspect description above, took the money and fled.

*On March 29, 2011 at 9:36pm, officers responded to a Shell gas station at 302 W. Broadway in South Boston (C6). Officers spoke with the victim who stated that a suspect approached the counter with a black handgun and demanded money. Suspect, who fits the above descriptions, fled the store.

*On March 21, 2011 at 6:30am, officers responded to Premier Petrol at 82 River Street in Mattapan for an armed robbery. Victim states he was approached by a light-skinned Hispanic male who presented a black handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled in an unknown direction.

*Two other similar incidents with a similar suspect description occurred on March 20, 2011 at the 7 Eleven (735 Morrissey Blvd in Dorchester) and on March 3, 2011 at the Hess Gas Station (710 Gallivan Blvd in Dorchester).

Detectives Appreciate Community Assistance

On Friday, April 8, 2011, detectives apprehended Michael Gomes, 35, of Boston and charged him with Armed Robbery. Gomes is believed to be responsible for numerous commercial robberies made public by Boston Police last week.

On April 5, 2011, Boston Police detectives released surveillance images of an individual believed to be connected to numerous, recent armed robbery incidents in several sections of the city. Detectives publicized the information hoping community members would come forward with information about the individual in the photos. The community responded and assisted investigators in identifying and locating the whereabouts of Michael Gomes.

At about 2:30pm, on Friday, April 8, 2011, officers from Area C-11 (Dorchester) along with members of the Boston Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Youth Violence Strike Force learned that the suspect, who was wanted in connection to the recent armed robberies, could be located at a residence on Woodgate Street in Mattapan. On arrival, officers asked the person who answered the door if the suspect was inside the home. In answer to the question, the resident stated, “No.” When officers requested permission to search the residence, the resident provided permission and approval.

Prior to entering the home on Woodgate Street, however, officers observed an unidentified male open the shade of a second floor window and then close it abruptly. Given this observation, officers instructed the individual to return to the window. When the individual did as instructed, officers promptly noted that the individual was, in fact, Michael Gomes, the individual wanted in connection to the recent armed robberies.

After a lengthy discussion, officers were able to convince the suspect to exit the residence. Once outside, officers arrested Michael Gomes, 35, of Boston and charged him with Assault & Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon as a result of a prior outstanding warrant. A protective sweep of the location enabled officers to see and take possession of a black firearm, determined to be a replica firearm.

As a result of an ongoing investigation, detectives ascertained information connecting the suspect to the incidents below.

The Boston Police Department would like to thank all the community members who aided this investigation, as well as, the media outlets that distributed the information relative to the case.

Incident Descriptions:

*On April 4, 2011 at 2:38am, a commercial robbery occurred at 715 Morrissey Boulevard (CVS) in Dorchester (C11). The suspect pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money. Suspect described as white Hispanic male, 25 years old, 5’6’’, 180lbs., slim build, brown ‘bushy’ ponytail, light moustache wearing a black baseball cap with “B” on it, black puffy vest and blue jeans with a frayed pocket area.

*On April 4, 2011 at 2:14am, a commercial robbery occurred at 722 Huntington Ave (7 Eleven) in Roxbury (B2). Victim states that a light skinned Hispanic male showed a black handgun and took money from the register. Victim stated that suspect acted as if he intended to purchase and Arizona Ice Tea and then demanded money from the register. Suspect described as light-skinned Hispanic male, mid to late twenties, black baseball cap, frizzy hair with short ponytail, thin moustache, black puffy coat and ripped blue jeans.

*On April 2, 2011 at 5:33am, officers were dispatched to 772 Adams Street (Adams Corner General Store) in Dorchester (C11) for an armed robbery. Victim stated that a light-skinned Hispanic male acted as if he was going to purchase two scratch tickets when he pointed a black firearm at the clerk and demanded money. The suspect, who fits the suspect description above, took the money and fled.

*On March 29, 2011 at 9:36pm, officers responded to a Shell gas station at 302 W. Broadway in South Boston (C6). Officers spoke with the victim who stated that a suspect approached the counter with a black handgun and demanded money. Suspect, who fits the above descriptions, fled the store.

*On March 21, 2011 at 6:30am, officers responded to Premier Petrol at 82 River Street in Mattapan for an armed robbery. Victim states he was approached by a light-skinned Hispanic male who presented a black handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled in an unknown direction.

*Two other similar incidents with a similar suspect description occurred on March 20, 2011 at the 7 Eleven (735 Morrissey Blvd in Dorchester) and on March 3, 2011 at the Hess Gas Station (710 Gallivan Blvd in Dorchester).