Fall River Police have arrested a man accused of robbing a store and assaulting the clerks this week.
According to Lieutenant Matthew Mendes, on Monday, at just after 10:15 p.m., members of the Patrol Bureau responded to Mama G’s Convenience Store, located at 168 Rodman Street, for a report of two individuals assaulting the store clerks.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a male and female had entered the store after it had closed and then began placing items into a hand basket.
One of the clerks, who was familiar with the two individuals from previous incidents at the store, asked them to return the items because the business was closed, at which time the two individuals refused to leave the store. When one of the clerks advised them that he was calling the police, the man suddenly became aggressive and attacked the two clerks. The man punched the clerks and slammed one of them into a store counter. The man then reportedly brandished a knife, walked behind the counter, and then stole $285. After taking the money, the man and woman left the store.
Through investigative efforts by members of the Community Action & Suppression Team and the Major Crimes Division, the male was identified as 36-year-old Ryan Pavao.
He was charged with: Armed Robbery, Assault & Battery With a Dangerous Weapon, Witness/Juror/Police/Court Official, Intimidation, and Assault & Battery (2 counts).
Court records show that Pavao pled not guilty at arraignment Wednesday in Fall River District Court and was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on September 14th.
