Canton man sentenced to prison for robbery of elderly man

A Canton man who attacked an elderly man during a 2016 robbery will serve 10 to 12 years in state prison.

Robert Perard, 39, was convicted in Fall River Superior Court last week after an 11-day trial of indictments charging him with armed and masked robbery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60 years old.

The conviction stems from an armed robbery at the Dartmouth Shell gas station on Nov. 15, 2016.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Perard entered the gas station wearing a mask, and knocked the 69-year-old victim to the ground, stuck him in the face, hit him with a gun, and stole money from his pockets.

A female gas station clerk allegedly helped Perard plan the attack. Prosecutors believe she knew the victim, and knew he carried all of his money on him.

The clerk fled the area. She has not been indicted on charges, but the district attorney’s office said that is likely to happen “in the near future.” Perard was arrested about a month after the robbery.

The victim, who provided an impact statement to the court during sentencing last week, told Judge Sharon Donatelle that the attack has caused him severe stress and anxiety. He also said the incident has negatively impacted his relationship with his friends and that he suffers nightmares about the incident.

Perard has a lengthy criminal record, which includes multiple robbery convictions. Prosecutors sought a 12-to-15 year prison sentence due to Perard’s record and the vicious nature of the attack. Perard’s defense requested a shorter sentence. 

“This was not an easy case to solve and the Dartmouth police deserve a lot of credit for their follow through in arresting the defendant,” said District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III. “The defendant is a repeat offender who deserves to be off the street for a long time.”