Crime
Arthur Bettencourt, 59, was charged with one count of unarmed robbery and two counts of assault and battery after the alleged theft in Chelmsford.
Police arrested a Lowell man who allegedly robbed a Market Basket in Chelmsford and assaulted two employees on Saturday, officials said.
Arthur Bettencourt, 59, was charged with one count of unarmed robbery and two counts of assault and battery, according to a statement from the Chelmsford Police Department.
Police responded to the Market Basket at 288 Chelmsford St. at around 7:41 p.m. for a report of an unarmed robbery, police said.
The man stole an undisclosed amount of money from a cash register and left the store through an exit close to Route 3. He was seen running through Route 3, jumping a guardrail, and entering a wooded area, according to the statement.
Chelmsford police requested a search of the perimeter and called on a K-9 unit to help track the suspect, police said. A Massachusetts State Police helicopter also assisted in aerial surveillance.
Three minutes into the search with two pairs of officers and K-9s, the suspect, identified as Bettencourt, was found lying in a pile of leaves. Police said he was arrested without incident.
“A speedy response and thorough investigation quickly led us to our suspect,” Chelmsford Police Chief Colin Spence said in the statement. “Chelmsford officers collaborated with Massachusetts State Police, and through that coordinated effort, the suspect was located and captured without injury to him, bystanders, or police on the scene.”
An initial investigation suggested Bettencourt assaulted an employee before stealing a bag of money, and assaulted a second employee who attempted to stop his escape. Neither employee required medical attention, according to the statement.
The incident remains under investigation and police had warned there might be increased police presence around the area on Sunday, but that there was no threat to the public.
According to court records, Bettencourt has previously been charged with several small claims cases between 2021 and 2024, all but one of which have been disposed. A charge of larceny under $1,200 in December 2024 has also been dismissed.
Bettencourt was expected to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Monday.
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