Two 20-year-olds arrested after investigation into robbery of Massachusetts mail carrier

RANDOLPH — Chief Anthony Marag and the Randolph Police Department report that a suspect was arrested Tuesday in Brockton in connection with an investigation into the recent robbery of a mail carrier, while another suspect was taken into custody on firearms charges.

On Wednesday, Jan. 9, at about 10:20 a.m., as a result of an ongoing investigation conducted by Randolph Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, detectives from the Randolph and Brockton Police Departments, as well as a Massachusetts State Police trooper, executed a search warrant on a black Acura TL in a parking lot at 984 N. Main St. in Brockton in connection with a Dec. 27 robbery. The Acura had just pulled in and backed into a parking spot alongside the building, facing an unoccupied postal vehicle.

As detectives and the trooper moved toward the vehicle, the operator, later identified as 20-year-old Soul Gagnon, failed to comply with commands and was found to be reaching toward his waistband. Officers took Gagnon to the ground and while searching his person found him in possession of a .40-caliber Glock with a loaded high-capacity magazine and a round in the chamber. Gagnon was taken into custody and charged by Brockton Police. He was arraigned Wednesday in Brockton District Court.

Subsequently 20-year-old Vashid Mashmasarmi, the registered owner of the vehicle, arrived at the scene. Officers executed a search warrant on Mashmasarmi’s person as well and found him to be in possession of a Postal Master (“Arrow”) Key that was allegedly taken during the Dec. 27 robbery at the Rosemont Square apartment complex. A postal carrier was robbed by two masked suspects, causing injury and taking the carrier’s “Arrow” Key.

Mashmasarmi was taken into custody by Randolph Police and was arraigned Wednesday in Quincy District Court.

Gagnon was charged with Unlawfully Carrying a Firearm, Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Resisting Arrest.

Mashmasarmi was charged with Unarmed Robbery, Possession of a Burglarious Tool, and Receiving Stolen Property.

“Our detectives’ work on this case was phenomenal,” Chief Marag said. “They started with little evidence but put together a solid case and made arrests. We’d like to thank Brockton Police, Massachusetts State Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their continued assistance in this case.”

The investigation remains ongoing.