BOSTON – A Revere man was charged yesterday in connection with the armed robberies of two Boston-area convenience stores in less than one week.
Jaquan Barrows, 26, was charged with two counts of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, commonly referred to as Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence. Barrows will appear in federal court in Boston later today.
According to the charging documents, on the morning of March 29, 2024, a male wearing a mask, dark clothing and an orange safety vest entered a Revere convenience store brandishing a handgun. The suspect allegedly walked behind the counter, demanded cash from the cash register drawer, additional cash and a cell phone from the store clerk. The suspect allegedly struck the clerk in the head with the firearm, took an ice cream bar from a store freezer and fled the scene.
It is alleged that less than a week later, on the morning of April 4, 2024, a male wearing a black mask and dark clothing entered an Everett convenience store and appeared to be shopping. After being asked to pay for his items, the suspect allegedly brandished a handgun, pointed it at the store clerk and demanded cash from the cash register drawer and fled the scene.
A subsequent investigation identified a Honda Pilot captured in the vicinity of the Revere convenience store. According to court records the vehicle was registered to an individual who resided with Barrows. Surveillance footage obtained from the Revere convenience store and from Barrows’ residence allegedly showed Barrows wearing clothing similar to the robber.
During a search of Barrows’ residence on April 4, 2024, clothing items matching the robber from the Revere robbery, as well as a handgun were allegedly found. Barrows was immediately taken into custody.
The charge of Hobbs Act robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $ 250,000. The charge of using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison to be served consecutively to the penalty for the underlying crime, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Revere and Everett Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
