East Providence, Barrington Police arrest two in robbery ring

Thousands of dollars-worth of tools, equipment were stolen

By Mike Rego
Posted 10/31/18

East Providence and Barrington Police Department officers combined recently to conclude a successful investigation into a string of thefts in both municipalities.

Detectives from each department …

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East Providence, Barrington Police arrest two in robbery ring

Thousands of dollars-worth of tools, equipment were stolen

Posted

East Providence and Barrington Police Department officers combined recently to conclude a successful investigation into a string of thefts in both municipalities.

Detectives from each department arrested two juvenile males, both 16-years-old, on Monday, Oct. 29, considered to be the suspects in a months-long series of at least seven robberies, including at the solar power farm located at the former Forbes Street landfill in the Riverside section of East Providence, and at a marina where equipment was stolen and damage done to a vessel. In all, the break-ins totaled some $50,000 in thefts and vandalism.

According to the report of EPPD Detective Lieutenant Raymond Blinn, Barrington Police received information that some suspected stolen goods were possibly being sold on the internet. From the list of items lifted, five were found to have been placed on Craigslist on October 22.

A Barrington detective next made arrangements with the seller to purchase the suspected stolen merchandise at a parking lot on Willett Avenue in Riverside. The Barrington detectives then contacted their counterparts in East Providence, at which point the officers exchanged information noting the same juvenile was suspected in several large thefts in East Providence.

The “buy” was set up for the evening of October 29 when at approximately 7:15 p.m., under surveillance, the Barrington detective met with the juvenile suspect to purchase the alleged stolen property. Once the detective confirmed the item was in fact among those stolen, officers apprehended the suspect.

Lt. Blinn’s report continued, the subsequent investigation led to two suspects being identified and brought in for questioning. Thousands of dollars in tools were recovered from the thefts in East Providence and numerous items were recovered from the larceny in Barrington. Stolen items were located in three separate locations, with a majority of the tools located in an abandoned building. Additionally, both suspects were identified as being responsible for several thefts of golf carts that had occurred in East Providence and Barrington.

According to Lt. Blinn, the matter remains under investigation. Several more items, which had been sold on the internet, are being sought in order to return them to the owners.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross provided further details on aspects of the investigation from his department. The BPD effort began on October 27 after learning of the breaking and entering of 55-foot Nordhaven yacht docked at Cove Haven Marina at the border of the two municipalities. The owner of the vessel noted the theft when he visited it on October 21. Some $30,000 worth of stolen goods and damages to the boat were estimated.

Following the aforementioned Willett Avenue sting, a subsequent search of the suspect’s residence in East Providence with his parents in attendance revealed more items stolen from the boat. In addition, several other items were located from unresolved East Providence incidents. A second search of another 16-year-old’s accomplice in East Providence revealed additional stolen items. And a third search of an abandoned building in East Providence revealed more stolen items. As well, both juveniles were interviewed and admitted to several crimes including a breaking and entering at Rhode Island Country Club and theft of a golf cart

Approximately $8,000 worth of items from the Barrington boat theft were recovered and over $20,000 of stolen tools and items were recovered from East Providence thefts.

If any residents have additional information regarding this case, they are asked to contact the East Providence or Barrington Police Departments.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.