Police say the public is to be congratulated after Rockland Police made an arrest on Tuesday morning in connection with the robbery of a Tedeschi Food Shop store late last month, in which the suspect displayed a hand grenade.
Police Lt. Nick Zeoli says surveillance began this morning in the area of 15 Pacific Street in Rockland.
“As a result of their surveillance and information gained from an anonymous tip, the Rockland Police placed under arrest Mark Whittles, 157 Mattakeesett Street in Pembroke for the robbery that occurred on September 28th,” according to Lt. Zeoli.
The 49-year-old Whittles was arrested without incident, according to Zeoli, and the grenade used in the robbery of the Tedeschi’s on Union Street was recovered.
“The grenade that was recovered was an old style World War II-style era grenade,” according to Zeoli. “It wasn’t an active grenade, although I’m sure at one time it was.”
Zeoli says the grenade did not pose a threat to the investigators.
Whittles was booked and transported to Hingham District Court where he awaits arraignment on charges including armed robbery, possession of an explosive device and threats concerning the location of dangerous items.
