Taunton man accused of sending himself money over victim’s Venmo at knifepoint

BOSTON (WLNE) — A Taunton man was arraigned last week on an armed robbery charge connected to allegedly stealing $1,000 from a man’s Venmo account while holding him at knifepoint.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said Monday that 22-year-old Joshua Alves was released on personal recognizance and was ordered to stay away from the victim and location where the alleged robbery took place in the North End.

Officials said a man reported an armed robbery at Cleveland Place on Jan. 29.

The man told police he had plans to meet with a woman from a dating app shortly after midnight that day. He said was going to pay her $400.

He said he saw two men wearing ski masks when he got to Margaret Street.

He then walked back in the direction of Cleveland Place, where the men followed, one pulling out a knife.

One of the men yelled that the woman the victim was planning on meeting up with was his underage sister. Officials said they pushed the man against a wall and emptied his pockets.

The men took $60 cash and demanded more, questioning why he didn’t have $400 on him. The victim told them he planned on paying the woman over Venmo.

The men then ordered him to unlock his phone and transferred $1,000 from his account.

Police later confirmed Alves as the recipient of the transaction.

Alves is due back in court on Dec. 4.