Rockland armed robbery suspect facing child endangerment charges

ROCKLAND, Mass. — After a short standoff, an armed robbery suspect surrendered to Rockland police with a baby in his arms Tuesday evening.

Police arrested Ivan Andujar, 19, and charged him with armed robbery for an incident Tuesday that prompted a SWAT team response and neighbors sheltering in place.

Andujar, who was arraigned in Hingham District Court on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of armed robbery.

Police say Andujar got into a teenager's car Tuesday afternoon and pointed a gun at him. Andujar allegedly stole the teens wallet, cellphone and backpack.

The 17-year-old driver had pulled over to text his friends when Andujar opened the passenger door.

"The victim was in a car, the defendant got into the car, pulled out a silver handgun and told him to give him anything or he was going to kill him," said Assistant District Attorney Christina Crowley.

Witnesses told police they then saw him go into his third-floor apartment on Church Street, which he shares with his family, girlfriend and newborn baby.

What followed were tense moments in the Rockland neighborhood as a massive police presence set up behind a neighbor's house.

“[It was] pure craziness," neighbor Cheryl Gallagher said.

Police evacuated the first and second floors of the triple decker and sent out a 911 call for people in the immediate area to shelter in place. For the safety of everyone involved, police relied on a drone to watch the movement of the suspect.

"We could see them through one of the windows, so the technology has allowed us to slow everything down," Rockland Police Chief John Llewellyn said. "There were children in the house. And to make sure that nobody on either side of the equation were injured, so that’s important for us."

Andujar eventually surrendered, walking out with a baby in his arm.

This is the second time in two weeks that similar armed robberies happened in Rockland. Police believe Andujar and his 17-year-old brother may have been involved in a similar incident on May 4. Police are attempting to reinterview the victim in that incident, who they say was not cooperative at the time.

Police were working to get a search warrant to go into the home late Tuesday night to try and find the gun that was used.

In court on Wednesday, two women cradling a baby were there in support of Andujar, but told Boston 25 News they had no comment on the allegations.

Andujar is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing next week.

Cox Media Group