Francisco Sanchez of New Bedford
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
June 21, 2016
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced that a 40-year-old New Bedford man who robbed a woman in front of a New Bedford KFC while armed with a metal object was sentenced to serve four to five years in state prison sentence last week in Fall River Superior Court.
Francisco Sanchez submitted an “unagreed plea” before Judge Renee Dupuis in Fall River Superior Court on Thursday. He was charged with armed robbery, larceny of a motor vehicle, kidnapping and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Assistant District Attorney Aaron Strojny argued for a five to eight year state prison sentence based on the facts of the case and the defendant’s prior criminal history, which includes multiple stints in jail. The defendant requested a four to five year state prison sentence in this case with three years of probation.
On December 12, 2013, Mr. Sanchez approached the victim out front of the KFC on County Street while she was purchasing dinner for her family. She left the store and went to her car where she was followed by Mr. Sanchez. Captured on surveillance video, the defendant is seen walking past the victim’s car; then walks to the driver’s window. Eventually, the defendant walked around the car and got into the passenger’s side. He put a metal object into her side and told her to drive. The victim drove for a couple of blocks until the defendant demanded her purse. The victim then pulled the vehicle over where she was able to get free. The defendant drove off with the victim’s car and purse.
Judge Dupuis sentenced Mr. Sanchez to serve no less than four years and no more than five years in state prison. Judge Dupuis also placed the defendant on probation for three years, which will commence upon his release from prison.
“I would like to thank the victim for her cooperation in this traumatic incident.” District Attorney Thomas Quinn said. “I am satisfied that the defendant has been held accountable for this violent street robbery and sent to state prison.”
Brandon Ferris
Media Assistant
508-997-0711
508-558-9522—cell