News

Man accused of robbing nearly 10 people hours after leaving jail

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. — Police say just a short time after being released from a jail a man in Middleborough went on a crime spree robbing a handful of people, one victim was as young as 12 years old.

Police say 20-year-old Frankie Bender robbed six people in a Cumberland Farms parking lot alone. But that wasn't the only location.

One victim says she was in her car leaving work when the victim blocked her in.

"As soon as I closed the door, that's when I turned this way and he pulled up right behind,” Kristen Brundige said. "He said ‘you're going to give me all of your money or I'm going to slash your tires and then some.’”

Six of the victims were under 18 years old, including Michael Gately’s 16-year-old son.

"The gentleman pulled up and said I have a gun, give me your money,” Gately said. "He ran into the Cumberland Farms and called police and part of his description is what led to his arrest."

A 69-year-old man was filling the air in his tires at a convenience store when police say Bender stole money from him after saying he had a weapon.

In one of the robberies Bender said he had a machete.

Because Bender looked so young, Brundige thought at first he was joking.

"I said ‘I work here does it look like I have any money.’ Like I said, I thought he was kidding,” she said.

Gately said his young son seems to be okay, but he's worried.

"He's in school today, he's adjusted pretty good, but I think as time goes on a little the gravity of the situation will probably bare down on him a little bit more,” he said.

In court Bender’s attorney told the judge the 20-year-old lives in his car and is homeless.