Fall River Armed Robber Sentenced to Prison
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
February 8, 2017
A 23-year-old Fall River man who attempted to rob a convenience store clerk at knife-point 11 months ago, was sentenced Monday to serve three to five years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Nuno Cabral pleaded guilty Monday in Fall River Superior Court to charges of armed assault with intent to rob, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery.
On March 8, 2016 Fall River Police were dispatched to Marques Market at 1744 Main Street for a silent panic alarm. The victim, a male clerk, told police that the defendant walked up to the counter and asked to buy a cigar. The defendant then pulled his hood over his head and tightened the strings to hide his face. At that point, the defendant brandished a silver kitchen knife and said, “give me the money now.”
The victim immediately activated the store’s silent alarm and tried to flee from behind the counter. The defendant then attempted to stab the victim and a fight ensued. During the fight, the knife was knocked out of the defendant’s hand and the victim ran from the store despite attempts by the defendant to keep him in the store by grabbing at his shirt and arm. Once the victim got outside and passing vehicles began to stop to help the victim, the defendant ran off.
When police arrived they located the defendant’s knife and his cell phone, which had also been dropped during the altercation with the victim. After a rapid investigation, police were able to present the victim with a photo array of suspects. The victim immediately identified Mr. Cabral as the suspect. Police eventually located him hiding in his bedroom closet on North Main Street in Fall River.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing before Judge Raffi Yessayan, Assistant District Attorney Carolyn Morrissette argued that based on the defendant’s extensive criminal record, he should be sentenced to serve four to seven years in state prison. She also recommended a two year supervised probationary term upon his release from prison. The defense, however, argued for a more lenient two to four years state prison term.
Judge Yessayan eventually sentenced the defendant to serve three to five years in state prison, to be followed by two years of probation.
“This young defendant has a history of violence. There has to be real accountability for defendants who are robbing local businesses,” District Attorney Quinn said. “This defendant even tried to stab the victim and keep him from fleeing the store. The clerk was just trying to make a living.”
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Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
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