Chelmsford Police Arrest and Charge Lowell Man with Unarmed Robbery

ARTHUR BETTENCOURT, 59, of LOWELL, was arrested by Chelmsford Police on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Chelmsford Police Department)

CHELMSFORD — Chief Colin Spence reports that the Chelmsford Police Department arrested and charged a Lowell man in connection with a robbery at a grocery store following a coordinated, multi-agency search.

ARTHUR BETTENCOURT, 59, of LOWELL, was arrested and charged with:

• Unarmed Robbery
• Assault and Battery (2 Counts)

On Saturday, June 21, at approximately 7:41 p.m., Chelmsford Police were dispatched to Market Basket at 288 Chelmsford St. for a report of an unarmed robbery that had just occurred.

Upon arrival, officers canvassed the area. Store employees described the suspect as an older white male wearing a black tank top and gray shorts.

The man had stolen an undisclosed amount of money from a cashier and fled through the side entrance closest to Route 3. He was last seen running across the Route 3 southbound on-ramp, jumping a guardrail and entering the wooded area between the Route 3 north and south ramps.

Chelmsford Police Lt. Steve Fredericks coordinated a perimeter around the area and requested a K-9 unit to assist in tracking the suspect. The Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Air Wing helicopter responded to conduct aerial surveillance.

MSP K-9 Trooper Christina Cavagnaro arrived on scene to begin a track with her partner K-9 Thor, with the assistance of Chelmsford Police, including Officer David Leo and his partner K-9 Alun. Just three minutes into the search, a man matching the description of the suspect was located lying supine in a pile of leaves.

BETTENCOURT was arrested without incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates that BETTENCOURT assaulted a store employee before stealing a bag containing money. He then assaulted a second store employee who tried to stop his escape. No store employees required medical attention.

There may be an increased police presence in the area on Sunday. There is no danger to the public. The incident remains under investigation.

BETTENCOURT is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court.

“A speedy response and thorough investigation quickly led us to our suspect,” said Chief Spence. “Chelmsford officers collaborated with Massachusetts State Police, and through that coordinated effort, the suspect was located and captured without injury to him, bystanders or police on the scene.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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