Fall River man arrested for Westport robberies, Fall River theft, parole violation

A Fall River man has been arrested for multiple robberies and police think there may be more that he is responsible for.

According to Detective Sergeant Christopher Dunn, on June 22, at approximately 8:36 p.m. the Westport Police Department received a phone call from a resident at 222 Blossom Road stating her house was recently broken into. Preliminary investigation by Officer David Arruda revealed several rooms had been rummaged through and that approximately $4,000 of assorted jewelry was stolen.

On the same date, Fall River Police Officer Tyler Andrade contacted Westport Police regarding a stolen moped from Fall River which may have been used in the breaking and entering. The owner of the moped stated he allowed Raymond Bertrand, 58, of Fall River to borrow his moped. When Bertrand later returned to Fall River without the moped, the owner questioned the whereabouts of the moped. Bertrand stated he had to stow the moped behind White’s of Westport because he had broken into some homes in Westport and needed to get rid of it. The owner also observed Bertrand carrying bags with unknown contents.

Officers Fernando Goncalves and Turner Ryan canvassed the wooded area. On Blossom Road not far from the scene of the breaking and entering, the officers located the moped, helmet, some of the suspected property, and prescription bottles with the victim’s name.

Detective Robert Rebello was contacted by the Massachusetts State Parole Officer Shawna Hawksley to inform him that on June 23, 2019 Bertrand was placed into custody after he violated the curfew established for his release. While being placed into custody, Bertrand was found in possession of a bag of jewelry matching the description of the stolen jewelry.

Bertrand was tracked by GPS which led to more stolen jewelry being located by Detective Robert Rebello, Parole Officers Shawna Hawksley and Dylan Shirley.

Bertrand has a lengthy criminal past with three previous convictions for Break and Entering. Bertrand is currently being held at the Bristol County House of Correction on a parole violation.

The Westport Police is actively seeking information about Bertrand regarding any other possible criminal activity.