Millbury man was masked while robbing businesses in Framingham, Ashland, police claim
FRAMINGHAM — A Milbury man accused of committing masked armed robberies last Friday in Ashland and Framingham was ordered held without bail Tuesday at his arraignment in Framingham District Court.
Matthew Grenier, 53, will be held until at least Feb. 15, when he is scheduled to return to court for a hearing to determine whether he is a danger to the public.
Framingham police said that at 9 a.m. last Friday, a man robbed the Andina Cafe on Concord Street (Route 126). The masked man walked up to the register and implied he had a weapon while demanding money. After getting an undetermined amount, he left the cafe.
Explainer: Courts can keep accused in jail for awhile
About 20 minutes later, a man robbed the Pet Supplies Plus on Pond Street (Route 126) in Ashland. The unidentified man, wearing a mask, showed a teller a note that indicated he had a gun and demanded cash.
"The suspect fled the scene with the stolen cash, triggering an immediate response from the Ashland Police Department," Ashland police said in a release.
Ashland police determine same suspect committed two robberies
Ashland police began to search the area and viewed surveillance videos from several businesses to find the suspect. They determined it appeared to be the same person who committed the Framingham robbery.
Ashland Deputy Police Chief Michael Vinciulla said "good police work" led officers from Framingham and Natick to identify Grenier as the suspect. Police obtained a warrant for his arrest and on Monday, the Ashland, Framingham and Sutton police, as well as Massachusetts State Police, arrested him at the Red Roof Inn in Sutton.
Police then served a search warrant on Grenier's home in Millbury and his car. They did not say whether they found anything of relevance.
'Hoping to get an ID': Police seek public's help in locating Framingham bank suspect
Ashland and Framingham police each charged Grenier, of 18A River St., with masked and armed robbery (subsequent offense) and being a habitual offender.
He will be held without bail until next week's dangerousness hearing, when prosecutors will seek to have Grenier held without bail for 120 days.
Grenier's lawyer, Jocelyn Filiault, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Man accused of stealing from Ashland pet store, Framingham cafe
