Crime

Fall River man convicted of several robberies, including one on his own cousin

Charles Duclos will serve four to six years in state prison.

August 17, 2016

2 minutes to read

A 51-year-old Fall River man on Wednesday was convicted of committing four robberies last year, including stealing a guitar and money from his own cousin.

Charles Duclos will serve four to six years in state prison, Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn III’s office said in a statement. He was convicted of larceny from a person, larceny from a person over 65, armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon.

“The defendant is a career criminal, who at age 51 is unlikely to change his behavior … At least he will be off the street for up to six years,” Quinn said in the statement. “Armed robberies, in particular, are crimes that must be adequately punished. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute and request sentences that are appropriate for the crime.”

Last March, Duclos stole his cousin’s Stratocaster guitar and sold it at Fall River Pawnbrokers, Quinn’s office said. When Duclos told his cousin he could buy it back for $60, the victim gave him the cash and drove to the pawn shop to get it back. But he ran away with the cash as his cousin was parking.

The cousin was able to later get his guitar back.

Four months later, Duclos visited a patient at Charlton Memorial Hospital, and got a ride home from the patient’s sister. Duclos stole the sister’s wallet in the car, the DA’s office said.

Duclos was found and arrested, but was out on bail when he walked into a funeral home in Fall River and stole several sympathy cards. A witness tried to chase Duclos down, at which point he threw the cards on the ground and ran away.

The cards, intended for an elderly widow and containing $250, were recovered.

Duclos then committed an armed robbery at a bridal boutique in Fall River, prosecutors said. He entered with a knife last August 17, told the clerk he had a gun, and demanded money, Quinn’s office said. After Duclos smashed a picture frame and pointed the knife at her, she handed over the money and Duclos fled.

Police eventually tracked him down. Prosecutors said Duclos admitted to the boutique robbery and said he used the cash to buy heroin.