Three arrested in connection with Swansea armed robbery

SWANSEA, Mass. (WLNE) — Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy said that three men were arrested in connection with a February 2024 armed robbery of a cash courier in Swansea.

38-year-old Steven Madison, of Bridgewater, 37-year-old Christopher White, of Raynham, and 25-year-old Quentin McDonald, of Brockton, were each charged with one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, commonly referred to as Hobbs Act robbery; one count of arson of property used in or affecting interstate commerce; and one count of conspiracy.

Madison and White were also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Levy said that on Feb. 19 two men were seen on video stealing a rental van from a U-Haul location in Abington.

Later that day, an armed courier who worked for a company that provides secure cash transportation services for licensed cannabis companies arrived at a bank in Swansea, carrying approximately $436,200 in cash.

Levy said the U-Haul allegedly pulled up alongside the courier and a masked man wearing a camouflaged vest exited the van, pointed a firearm at the courier, and tied the courier’s hands behind his back using zip-ties while a second man loaded money into the van.

The two men allegedly forced the courier into the back seat of his own car, pepper sprayed him, and closed the door.

Surveillance footage showed the courier removed one hand from the zip-tie restraints, draw his firearm and fire four rounds in the direction of the U-Haul van as it fled the scene before calling 911.

Levy said that the men allegedly drove the van to a nearby location where they met a third man, transferred the cash to an SUV, and then burned the U-Haul van.

An investigation identified the three suspects, and during a search of Madison’s residence found an estimated $5,000 as well as a $47,000 Rolex watch, a sweatshirt similar to that worn by one of the robbers, a firearm, and ammunition.

A search of White’s found zip-ties, a black mask similar to that worn by one of the robbers, a firearm and ammunition were recovered.

Levy said that both Madison and McDonald have prior state convictions for masked armed robbery, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and unlawfully possessing a firearm, while White has prior state convictions for larceny and receiving stolen property.