New Bedford Man Headed To State Prison For Attempted Robberies

A 37 year old New Bedford man is going to jail for at least 5-1/2 years after being convicted of attempting to rob two convenience stores in New Bedford in July of last year.

The District Attorney's office says Michael Nichols was sentenced to 5-1/2 to 8 years in state prison, plus four years supervised probation following his release.

Prosecutors say Nichols has a lengthy criminal record, including jail time.

Nichols was arrested in July, 2015 after attempting to rob the Petro Mart on Coggeshall Street, and then the 7-11 on Acushnet Avenue.

Nichols was armed with a knife during the robbery attempts, but was rebuffed by the store clerks each time.