Local Man Charged After Walking Past Store He Allegedly Robbed

A New Bedford man faces arraignment Wednesday after a store owner he allegedly robbed twice recognized him.

New Bedford Police Det. Cap. Steven Vicente says the owner of the Quinchelenses Market on North Front Street was outside his store around 8pm Tuesday night, when he recognized a man he says robbed his store twice in January.

The owner followed the man on foot and called police. The suspect was taken into custody on Acushnet Avenue a short time later.

25-year-old Juan Carlos Ortiz of North Front Street is being arraigned Wednesday in New Bedford District Court for the two robberies on January 23 and 30, one by use of a knife, the other with a machete.

Ortiz is also wanted as a Fugitive from Justice out of Florida, where he's wanted on drug charges.