Man held on bail in Fall River court after arrest concerning alleged robbery of Somerset business

A Rhode Island man has been arrested and arraigned concerning an alleged incident in Somerset.

According to police, on Tuesday, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Somerset Police Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting an unarmed robbery at the SAV-ON gas station located at 1693 G.A.R. Highway.

The suspect, who had fled on foot with the store’s cash drawer, was described by witnesses and that information was promptly broadcast to responding units.

Upon arrival, officers confirmed that the suspect had already fled the area. A coordinated investigation led by Detective James Cardella, with assistance from Detective Lieutenant Jason Matos, Detective Sergeant Nicholas Davidson, Detective Donald Cormier, and Patrol Officer Brenen Cardoza, quickly developed evidence identifying 58-year-old James P. Spader of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, as the primary suspect.

With support from Detective Sergeant Diogo Mello of the East Providence (RI) Police Department, investigators located Spader and his vehicle at a motel in North Attleboro just hours after the incident. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Spader and a search warrant for the motel room. These warrants were executed with the assistance of the North Attleboro Police Department’s Patrol and Detective Divisions. Spader was taken into custody without incident. During the search of the motel room, investigators seized a firearm as well as evidence linking Spader to the robbery. The firearm charges will be handled by the North Attleboro Police Department.

Spader was charged with Unarmed Robbery and Larceny from a Building. He was arraigned earlier today at the Fall River District Court. Cash bail was set at $1,000.00. At the time of this press release, the suspect was unable to post bail and will be held at the Bristol Sheriff’s Regional Jail in New Bedford.

Spader pled not guilty returnable for a July 17th probable cause hearing.