Air Guns Used In Seekonk Carjacking, Police Say

SEEKONK, MA – Two men were arrested Wednesday night and charged in the theft of a Rhode Island man's car. The 25-year-old man, from Warren, reported his car stolen around 8:20 p.m. at the Kohl's department store on Commerce Way.

Responding officers, who were nearby at the time of the call, saw the man's Toyota Camry turn westbound onto Rt. 6 from Commerce Way, according to a Seekonk police press release. The officers attempted to pull over the Camry, which continued onto Rt. 114A. The driver ignored officers' signals to stop as the car drove through multiple parking lots, police said.

The driver ultimately lost control and drove over a curb in the parking lot of Clarion Inn. Two men fled the Camry in different directions on foot. They were pursued by officers, who used electronic stun devices to help apprehend them.

The victim, who allegedly identified the suspects as the men who stole his car, told officers a gun was shown during the robbery, police said. Officers allegedly found two air guns, which resembled real weapons, and a substance believed to be cocaine in the car. A knife was also found near the driver when he was arrested, police said.

Christopher Gookin, 22, of Taunton, was behind the wheel of the car, according to police. He was charged with failure to stop for police and resisting arrest. The passenger, 31-year-old Joshua Goncalves, of Fall River, faces charges of armed carjacking, possession of a Class B substance (cocaine) and resisting arrest.

Police said the carjacking did not appear to be random. The suspects were arraigned Thursday in Taunton District Court.

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