Crime
A man was assaulted near the Norwood Central commuter rail station by two men before his car was stolen, police said.
Norwood police arrested two men last week who allegedly committed a carjacking near an MBTA Commuter Rail station and fled from officers, according to police officials.
The suspects were identified as 23-year-old Boston resident Johanns Miranda Pizarro and 20-year-old Norwood resident Demarcus Atkins.
A Honda Accord was seen driving without its headlights or taillights on at about 9:41 p.m. on Thursday, July 16. It drove through a stop sign, and an officer on patrol attempted to pull the vehicle over, Norwood Police Chief Christopher Padden said in a statement. The vehicle did not stop, and police chased it through multiple streets before “discontinuing the pursuit.”
As police searched the area, a witness told officers that they saw two men abandon a vehicle and run away. The officer who initially tried to stop the Accord saw two people running down Winter Street and chased them on foot with the help of other officers. Miranda Pizarro and Atkins were taken into custody.
As they investigated, police received a report from a man who said his vehicle had been stolen near the Norwood Central commuter rail station. He also said that he had been assaulted, according to Padden.
Police believe that the carjacking victim arranged to meet with one of the suspects near the station. He was then allegedly assaulted by Miranda Pizarro and Atkins. They allegedly stole his cellphone, car keys, and car. The carjacking victim suffered minor injuries, Padden said. The Honda Accord was recovered and identified as the stolen vehicle.
Miranda Pizarro faces 10 charges, including unarmed robbery, carjacking, assault and battery, and the reckless operation of a motor vehicle. He was ordered to be held on $15,000 cash bail and was committed to Norfolk County Correctional Center in lieu of having posted bail, according to court records.
Atkins was charged with unarmed robbery, carjacking, conspiracy, larceny of a motor vehicle, and assault and battery. He was ordered to be held on $1,000 cash bail.
“This case highlights the value of proactive policing, outstanding teamwork, and quick decision-making on behalf of the officers of the 4-12 shift,” Padden said in the statement. “What began as a simple motor vehicle violation quickly developed into the apprehension of two robbery suspects, the recovery of a stolen vehicle, and the successful investigation of a violent crime.”
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