New Bedford Robbery Suspect Arrested a Week Later with Stolen Car

NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford Police arrested a city resident Tuesday for possessing a stolen motor vehicle, just days after he was arrested for unarmed robbery, trespassing and assault and battery at an incident at 149 Tinkham Street that led to that home being shuttered, and 17 days after he was arrested after leading police on a chase on a motorized scooter.

Despite three arrests in 17 days, Joshua Luna-Agosto, 18, 1959 Purchase St., Apt. 210E, New Bedford, was released without bail by two separate judges and is free on the streets of New Bedford.

On Feb. 3, Luna-Agosto was charged with failure to stop for a police officer, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating without a helmet. Judge James McGovern released him without bail on those charges and set a pre-trial conference date of March 11. This arrest stemmed from an incident in which police observed him driving a motorized scooter on public streets in the Coggeshall Street area. When police attempted to stop him, he fled and led police on a chase and was subsequently apprehended.

He then was one of eight people arrested for unarmed robbery, trespassing, assault and battery in connection with the robbery of a man at 149 Tinkham Street. The incident led to the city closing down the location, which had been the subject of multiple neighborhood complaints and police calls.

Luna-Agosto was released without having to post bail in that case by Judge Paul Pino, despite his Feb. 3 arrest and with the stipulation that he avoid any problems prior to his scheduled court date of March 30.

Instead, Luna-Agosto was again arrested Tuesday night for possessing a stolen motor vehicle outside the Rite Aid on 1207 Acushnet Ave. Police recognized the vehicle as one that had been reported stolen. They approached the vehicle, saw Luna-Agosto inside the vehicle and placed him under arrest.

At his arraignment Wednesday, the district attorney's office requested that Judge Pino revoke his bail based on the Feb. 14 incident and that he be held without bail. Judge Pino refused that request. He also refused the district attorney's subsequent request that Luna-Agosto be held on $1,000.00 bail.

Judge Pino instead set him free without having to post any bail.

His next court date on that case is scheduled for March 30.

--New Bedford Police