WEYMOUTH, MA — Weymouth Police arrested 35-year-old Raphael Almeida Caldeira following a robbery at the Walmart located at 740 Middle Street on Sunday. The investigation relied on store video footage, FLOCK automated license plate reader technology (ALPR), and coordination between Weymouth and Abington police.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., Weymouth Police responded to Walmart for a report of a robbery at the store’s customer service desk. The suspect demanded money from an employee and made threatening statements when the employee attempted to seek assistance. The employee ultimately handed over the money. The suspect then left the store and fled in a black sedan.
While officers investigated the incident and reviewed Walmart’s video footage, Weymouth Police utilized ALPR to identify a black Nissan Altima bearing Massachusetts registration 5PWC63. The vehicle matched the description and timing of the sedan seen leaving Walmart’s parking lot.
The vehicle was registered to Caldeira, whose recent booking photograph was compared with Walmart video footage. Investigators observed that the individual in the store video appeared to be wearing the same bright yellow hooded sweatshirt visible in his recent booking photograph.
The use of ALPR technology helped investigators connect the suspect vehicle to the crime scene, establish a timeline, and narrow the search area as officers continued their efforts to locate the suspect.
As the investigation progressed, information about the suspect vehicle was shared with surrounding police departments to assist in locating the suspect. At approximately 12:26 p.m., Weymouth Police Officers, with assistance from an Abington Police Detective, located the Nissan Altima in the parking lot of Terra Nossa Market at 1501 Bedford Street in Abington, just over the Weymouth town line.
Officers observed Caldeira walking toward the vehicle and took him into custody.
During booking at Weymouth Police Headquarters, officers recovered cash from Caldeira’s pockets. The money was seized as evidence. Investigators also seized a yellow hooded sweatshirt and dark vest believed to be associated with the incident.
Caldeira, who stated he was homeless, was charged with Unarmed Robbery.
Caldeira’s vehicle was towed to Weymouth Police Headquarters and secured pending the issuance of a search warrant.
Court records show that he pled not guilty in Quincy District Court and was being held on $25,000 bond/$2,500 cash bail with a probable cause hearing scheduled for November 16th.
Weymouth Police credited the coordinated efforts of responding officers, dispatch personnel, investigators, and Abington Police in locating the suspect and advancing the investigation. ALPR camera technology was an important investigative resource, providing timely vehicle information that assisted police in locating the suspect vehicle and directing officers to its location.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
