NEW BEDFORD — A local man already facing murder charges has now been accused of an armed carjacking that occurred last August, authorities said.
The New Bedford Police Department reports that on Aug. 14, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers responded to a carjacking incident at the Boa Vista Tower parking lot.
Two individuals were confronted by two masked assailants wielding guns while sitting in their vehicle.
The victims were forcibly removed from their car and told to leave their personal belongings behind.
The suspects then drove away in the stolen vehicle, heading north on S. Second Street.
Detective Timothy Soares has identified one of the suspects involved in the carjacking as 21-year-old Anthony Jalo.
Jalo had previously been arrested for the murder of Aaron Britto, who was fatally shot during a robbery on Aug. 4.
Evidence discovered at the time of his arrest for the homicide has since linked Jalo to the carjacking.
Jalo is now facing additional charges for the armed carjacking.
The search for the second suspect in the crime is ongoing.
Currently, Jalo is being held without bail at the Bristol County Sheriff’s office.
Police Chief Paul Oliveira expressed relief at the progress in the case. “Given the fact that this suspect shot a man ten days earlier, there is no doubt as to the propensity for violence Jalo has.
We are very fortunate that the victims of this carjacking were not hurt,” Oliveira stated.
He also assured the public that efforts to apprehend Jalo’s accomplice continue: “We will not relent until Jalo’s partner in this crime is sitting in a cell beside him.”
The New Bedford Police Department is appealing to the public for any information related to this crime or others.
