New Bedford Police Arrest Two for Alleged Car Theft, Kidnapping

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Two Rhode Island men were arrested last week by New Bedford Police for allegedly stealing a car and kidnapping a juvenile girl.

According to police, Officer James Sullivan received a report on June 22 at about 2:30 a.m. for an attempted carjacking by two men with guns at a gas station near the intersection of Acushnet Avenue and Phillips Road.

The victim told police her car was parked near the gas pump when another vehicle pulled up next to it, and a suspect from the rear of that vehicle got out and attempted to open her door.

“The victim shouted at the male suspect, causing him to retreat into the vehicle, which quickly fled the parking lot,” police said in a release. “Immediately thereafter, the suspect vehicle blocked the victim’s vehicle while it was waiting at a red light. The two suspects then began yelling at the victim while brandishing firearms. Frightened, she then fled the scene and drove quickly to Station No. 3 where she relayed the events to (Officer) Sullivan.”

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Police said Officer Sullivan spotted the suspect vehicle near the Satellite Village housing development. With the assistance of other officers, Sullivan approached the vehicle and removed two adult men and a juvenile girl from the car.

Police identified the men as Fabio Da Silveira, 21, of Providence, Rhode Island, and Muhammed Abdur-Razzak, 22, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. According to police, the vehicle they were in had been stolen about a week earlier in New Bedford, and had an illegally attached plate with additional plates inside the vehicle.

Police said the officers realized the juvenile girl was being held against her will by Fabio, who she said struck her multiple times in the face and “even threatened to cut her fingers off,” police said. She was taken to the hospital for treatment, while the two men were arrested.

Fabio is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, reckless endangerment to a child, threats to commit a crime, receiving a stolen motor vehicle and other traffic offenses.

Abdur-Razzak is charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle and assault with a dangerous weapon.

"I want to commend Officer Sullivan and his fellow patrol officers for their swift and decisive actions in apprehending the suspects involved in this harrowing incident,” Police Chief Paul Oliveira said. “Their vigilance and professionalism resulted in the rescue of a young female victim from a truly dangerous situation. Their efforts exemplify the commitment of our police officers to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.”