Man Charged With Unarmed Robbery In The South End

A man was hospitalized with minor injuries following an unarmed robbery in New Bedford's South End Wednesday afternoon.

Detective Captain Steven Vicente says the 53-year-old man was found bleeding from the face when officers arrived near Division and County street around 4:30 p.m.

Witnesses told police another man approached the victim, punched him in the face, then ran off with the victim's wallet.

The suspect discarded the wallet, after some other men gave chase, and it was returned it to the victim who was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital.

The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Brett Lourenco of New Bedford, was arrested a short time later. He is being charged with unarmed robbery.