A 59-year-old Lowell man made the questionable choice to camouflage himself in a pile of leaves after allegedly committing a robbery at Market Basket, but instead of evading the law, he found himself in handcuffs. In a scenario straight out of a clumsy game of hide-and-seek, Arthur Bettencourt was charged with unarmed robbery and two counts of assault and battery after a multi-agency search came to a close with his discovery and arrestaccording to the Chelmsford Police Department.
Yesterday evening, the police were called to the Market Basket on Chelmsford St., where a suspect later identified as Bettencourt had reportedly swiped an undisclosed sum of cash and physically confronted two employees in his flight, although his escape was far from being a smooth criminal's work after leading officers on a brief chase through a wooded frill between two highway ramps. Despite the commotion and the evident threat, no employees were seriously harmed during the incident. The Chelmsford Police alongside Massachusetts State Police swiftly established a perimeter, dispatching K-9 units and even aerial support from MSP's Air Wing helicopter.
In a statement obtained by Chelmsford Police, Chief Colin Spence praised the rapid response and investigation that led to Bettencourt's capture, stating, "A speedy response and thorough investigation quickly led us to our suspect." The collaboration between local and state-level officers proved efficient when just within the span of three minutes into the search, K-9 Thor and his human counterparts managed to sniff out Bettencourt, quite literally grounded in his leafy hideout.
Residents in the area might have noticed an uptick in the local police presence after the incident, though authorities have reassured there is no ongoing threat to public safety with Bettencourt now in custody. Bettencourt is set to be arraigned on the following Monday in Lowell District Court, and while the charges paint a clear narrative of guilt, it is worth noting that these remain allegations, with Bettencourt considered innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.
