Gang Member Sentenced For Armed Robberies, Kidnapping: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Friday, February 5. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Remember how last winter had almost no snow? Neither do we. Another storm is heading our way Super Bowl Sunday, though there is a chance it misses us.
• You should soon be noticing something different on Route 128. Less traffic? Sorry, no. How about new-look exit signs with a revamped numbering system.
• The Wilmington dad who helped spark the GameStop stock explosion faces potential investigations by the federal and state governments.

Scroll down for those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Friday’s Top Story

A Brazilian gang member living in Somerville was sentenced to nine years in prison Wednesday for his role in a series of kidnappings and armed robberies, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Breno Henrique DaSilva, 22, is a member of Primeiro Comando da Massachusetts (PCM), a Brazilian gang believed to be behind drug and weapons dealing, robberies, kidnappings and armed assaults in Boston, Malden, Everett, Somerville, Framingham, Peabody and other Massachusetts communities, the USAO said.

Authorities believe PCM first appeared in Massachusetts in 2017 and started investigating the gang the following year.

Read more here.

Nearby News

• Malden Dad Grills Daughter's First Date Via Ring Video Doorbell: Being at work didn't stop this dad from questioning his daughter's date while he picked her up for dinner and a movie back in summer 2019.
• Arlington Health Director Frustrated By State Vaccine Rollout: Arlington and other local health departments across the state are only receiving 100 vaccine doses a week.
• After Unsuccessful Recall Attempt, Select Board Member Seeks Second Term: Vanessa Alvarado announced she is running for re-election to the Reading Select Board in April.
• Both Sides Praised As Medford Schools, Union Approve Agreement: The School Committee approved working conditions for teachers that include metrics for air quality, COVID testing and student engagement.
• Somerville Keeps Business Capacity Limit At 25 Percent: The city will not join the rest of the state in allowing businesses to operate at 40 percent capacity starting Monday.

Today’s Other Top Stories In Massachusetts

Let is snow — or not: Massachusetts could see a few more inches of snow due to an approaching storm with a so-far shaky path. Earlier predictions had the storm going offshore well short of New England, but recent forecasts have it trending closer. The bottom line: Current estimates have it around 3-4 inches on the Cape and Island, 1-2 inches farther inland, numbers that could shift in either direction between now and Super Bowl Sunday.

All signs point north: Exit signs along the North Shore are getting a new look next week. As part of the state's move to milepost-based signs, the Route 128 corridor from Gloucester and Peabody will be switched out starting Sunday. Signs will be replaced in both directions. The sign installation operations will take place from 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day with the process expected to take eight nights.

Game over?: Last week, Keith Gill was riding high, at one point reporting over $40 million in gains on his Gamestop trade that captured the world's attention. On Wednesday, Gill's account update on Reddit showed a $22 million balance, down more than half from the Jan. 27 high of nearly $48 million — but still up more than 40,000 percent on his initial $53,000 investment. Now the Wilmington resident, 34, faces potential investigations from two directions: congress and the state government.

By The Numbers

20,000: That’s how many COVID-19 vaccination appointments were available as of Friday morning for next week at the state’s mass vaccination sites.

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• Cape Officials Ask Seniors For Patience During Vaccine Shortage