Fall River robbery suspect sentenced

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Fall River man who committed five separate robberies in 48 hours has been sentenced to five to seven years in state prison.

Matthew Rodrigues, 34, pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with four counts of armed robbery and one count of masked robbery, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. /at gunpoint.

Rodrigues first robbed the BayCoast Bank in Fall River on October 27, 2021 at approximately 1:40 p.m. He then robbed the Santander Bank in Raynham approximately three hours later.

The next day, around 9:45 p.m., a masked Rodrigues entered a Shell gas station in Fall River and approached the clerk, showing a handgun in his waistband. He then told the clerk: “Give me the money and don't press the panic button.” »

A day later, on October 29, 2021, Rodrigues robbed a St. Anne's Credit Union in Fall River at 9:20 a.m., followed by a BankFive in the city just before noon.

“The accused embarked on a series of robberies, including an armed robbery while masked with a firearm. He clearly poses a danger to the community and must be kept off the streets to protect the public,” said Prosecutor Thomas M. Quinn III.