BOSTON — On Wednesday, authorities apprehended three men from Massachusetts linked to a February heist at the Bay Coast Bank in Swansea. The robbery reportedly amassed a substantial sum, including $373,000 from Cosmopolitan, a marijuana dispensary partly owned by Will Flanagan, the former mayor of Fall River.
Steven Madison, 38, from Bridgewater, Christopher White, 37, from Raynham, and Quentin McDonald, 35, from Brockton, now face charges of robbery affecting interstate commerce, conspiracy, and property destruction. Both Madison and White are additionally charged with illegal firearm possession due to prior felonies.
The arrests followed thorough investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as indicated by federal court filings.
During their initial court appearance in Boston, the accused were ordered to remain in custody until a detention and preliminary hearing scheduled for May 13.
Details from an ATF complaint by agent Eric Mercer revealed that the accused stole $436,200 from a courier depositing proceeds for Cosmopolitan and other dispensaries from Cape Cod.
The robbery took place in broad daylight on the Presidents Day holiday when the bank was closed. The courier was confronted at gunpoint, restrained with zip ties, and assaulted with pepper spray before managing to escape and return fire as the robbers fled in a burning U-Haul truck abandoned on Reed Street in Swansea.
They then escaped in another waiting vehicle.
Will Flanagan, now a defense lawyer and co-owner of the dispensary, praised federal law enforcement for their response to the “bold and violent” robbery, relieved that no one was injured. He emphasized the importance of severe consequences for such crimes to deter future attacks on the well-regulated cannabis industry.
Additional Suspect Initially Arrested
Initially, 29-year-old Giovany Fouyolle was also arrested later that day on Interstate 195. However, his attorney provided video evidence at the Fall River District Court showing he was at a casino during the crime, leading to the charges being dropped soon after.
Criminal Backgrounds of Defendants
Investigators suggest Madison and White carried out the armed robbery, while McDonald allegedly drove the getaway Jeep away from the scene of the now-torched U-Haul, stolen from Abington. Searches at the residences of the accused led to the discovery of cash, luxury items, and firearms linking them to the crime.
Both Madison and McDonald have a history of masked armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and illegal firearm possession. White’s criminal record includes convictions for larceny and handling stolen goods.
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