3 suspects in Swansea courier robbery indicted on new charges
by: Sarah Doiron
SWANSEA, Mass. (WPRI) — The three Massachusetts men accused of robbing a courier at gunpoint outside of a Swansea bank earlier this year are facing new charges.
Steven Madison, Christopher White and Quentin McDonald were indicted Wednesday for robbery interfering with interstate commerce, which is also referred to as a Hobbs Act robbery, arson of a vehicle affecting interstate commerce and conspiracy.
Madison and White have also been charged with brandishing a firearm while committing a crime of violence, unlawfully possessing a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Prosecutors believe Madison and White zip-tied, pepper-sprayed and robbed the courier of more than $436,000 in cash at the BayCoast Bank back in February.
The courier, who had just collected cash deposits from several nearby cannabis dispensaries, was trying to use the drop-box outside the bank when a U-Haul van pulled up alongside him, according to prosecutors.
Two masked men, later identified by authorities as Madison and White, then jumped out of the van and accosted the courier at gunpoint. Prosecutors said one of the men restrained the courier while the other quickly loaded the bags of cash into the U-Haul van.
The courier, who was also armed, managed to free one of his hands and fire three shots at the van as the suspects drove off with the money.
Prosecutors said the suspects then met up with McDonald, who was waiting in his parked SUV on Reed Street. The trio reportedly moved the cash into McDonald’s vehicle before torching and abandoning the U-Haul van.
Detectives were able to connect the men to the robbery after reviewing surveillance footage and tracing the getaway car back to McDonald.
Prosecutors said surveillance footage from outside the bank showed the men lying in wait for the courier after conducting a practice run less than two hours prior. The investigation also revealed that the men had stolen the van the night prior from a U-Haul storage facility in Abington, Mass.
The suspects, who were arrested back in May, each have extensive criminal histories, according to prosecutors.
Madison and McDonald were previously convicted of masked armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and unlawfully possessing a firearm, while White served time for larceny and receiving stolen property.
Officers arrested a different suspect the day of the robbery, but he was cleared of all charges after investigators confirmed he was not involved.
Shaun Towne contributed to this report.