Warrant Issued for New Bedford Woman Who Fails to Appear for Conclusion of Trial
District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that an arrest warrant has been issued for a 27-year-old New Bedford woman who did not show up in court for the fifth day of her New Bedford District Court trial last Friday.
Caroline Peraza Rivera, formerly of 80 Earle Street, was on trial for charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying an illegal firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, larceny by false pretense and two counts of receiving stolen property.
The defendant had appeared in court for the first four days of her trial last week, but did not appear in court last Friday. A default warrant was issued last Friday, but the defendant has yet to be located. On Monday, a hearing was held before Judge Jeanmarie Carroll, who ruled that the trial would go forward without the defendant’s presence.
The jury deliberated for about 90 minutes Monday afternoon before convicting Ms. Rivera of all charges. Sentencing has been stayed until Ms. Rivera is located and apprehended. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Robert DiGiantomaso and Jessica Stone.
The case against Ms. Rivera stems from a June 4th shots fired incident on Ashley Street in New Bedford. The city’s Shot Spotter gunshot detection system and 911 calls indicated multiple shots were fired during the incident. Upon further investigation, six .40 caliber shell casings were found in the vicinity of 31 Ashley St. on the sidewalk. At the same time, a motor vehicle crash was reported at the corner of Davis Street and E. Rodney French Boulevard. The motor vehicle was found flipped over in the run off ditch of the hurricane barrier. No occupants were found inside the vehicle.
The investigation by New Bedford Police pointed towards Ms. Rivera as the suspected shooter. The following day she was located at 26 Ashley St. hiding in a closet. At that location, a .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm and ammunition were located hidden in a safe in a separate room. The defendant was interviewed by police and made admissions regarding the shots fired and the firearm. She also admitted to driving the car that had crashed into the run off of the hurricane barrier. The motor vehicle, the firearm and other items were reported stolen an individual with whom the defendant maintained a personal relationship with.
If anyone has any information regarding Ms. Rivera’s whereabouts, they are urged to contact New Bedford Police at 508-991-6300 or utilize the department’s anonymous tip line by calling 508-961-4584.
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell