A Boston man with a criminal history has pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of two local businesses earlier this year. Fernando Bost, 32, admitted his role in the March heists at a Dorchester convenience store and a Brockton 7-Eleven, as per Department of Justice website.
The DOJ's announcement highlights that on the night of March 29, Bost robbed the RJ Smoke and Convenience Store in Dorchester at gunpoint, fleeing with cash. Law enforcement's probe revealed a connected robbery at a 7-Eleven in Brockton just 40 minutes ahead of that incident, with surveillance footage linking a man in distinct attire to both crimes. Bost's guilty plea involves two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of firearms possession by a felon.
Investigators pieced together the connection between the robberies after identifying a Kia Sorento, seen in the proximity of the two stores, which links to Bost's girlfriend. Notably, Bost was captured on camera using his EBT card at a gas station and a Target on the day of the robberies, seen wearing the same clothing as the robber on the footage, the DOJ reported. His capture came during a traffic stop near Springfield, where officers discovered a loaded weapon on him.
Bost, already forbidden from possessing any firearms due to previous convictions, had his criminal record multiply with the latest charges. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs is set to deliver his sentence on March 7, 2024. With a scheduled sentencing that could potentially add 20 years to his time behind bars, the cost of his repeated offenses is set to grow significantly.
The case reflects the collaborative work of federal and local law enforcement, with accolades given by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and FBI's Boston Division head Jodi Cohen. The Massachusetts State Police, the Hamden County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Boston and Brockton Police Departments, were credited with their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit leads the prosecution effort. For more details, the full report is available on the Department of Justice's website.
