Muggers target two people in New Bedford for electronic gadgets

By Brian Fraga
Standard-Times staff writer
November 08, 2008 6:00 AM

NEW BEDFORD - Two people were mugged Wednesday evening for their hand-held electronics, police reported.
Police Capt. Joseph Cordeiro, commander of the downtown district, said police have not seen a recent increase in armed robberies. However, he said residents should take precautions.
He noted that despite previous public warnings, cars in New Bedford are still being burglarized because people leave their GPS devices in plain view.
"People have got to be cognizant of their surroundings," Capt. Cordeiro said.
On Wednesday, a teenage boy told police he was waiting at a bus stop at Parker Street and Shawmut Avenue, playing a portable Playstation video game, when a group of five male suspects approached.
One assailant reportedly brandished a knife, but the victim refused to hand over his game.
However, when another suspect allegedly brandished a handgun, the victim handed the game over. The suspects then ran off, police reported.
Later that evening, a woman listening to her iPod said she was walking home on Willis and County streets when two girls approached. The assailants hit her in the head and reached for the iPod, police said.
The victim tried fighting the assailants but gave up her iPod because she thought they were armed, police said. Capt. Cordeiro said the robberies appear to be isolated. Detectives are investigating the incidents.

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