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A Rhode Island man who was released from a correctional institution in late April has been arrested in connection to a bank robbery in Cranston, police said.
According to Cranston police, 58-year-old Gino Rotondo was taken into custody Friday night after he was found hiding in a self-storage unit.
Earlier Friday, authorities allege it was Rotondo who robbed the Citizens Bank, located at 1030 Park Avenue, just before noon. The suspect gave a note to the teller demanding cash and got away with an undisclosed amount on a blue BMX-style bicycle. Police said no weapon was shown, and no one was injured in the robbery.
The suspect was captured on surveillance video at the bank, and members of the Cranston Police Department immediately recognized him as Rotondo, whose residence is a few blocks from the bank, police said.
Investigators learned Rotondo had been released from the adult correctional institution less than two months earlier, on April 23, after posting bail for several criminal charges for firearm and drug offenses that were filed after a 16-hour standoff with North Providence police in July 2022.
As the department’s special reaction team was executing a search warrant at Rotondo’s Leslie Street residence, investigators learned Rotondo might be hiding in a self-storage unit on Phenix Avenue, police said.
Two detectives responded to the self-storage unit and found Rotondo, who had been sleeping there. Police say he had a small amount of cash on him, as well as clothing matching what was seen in the bank surveillance photographs.
Rotondo was arrested and held overnight at Cranston Police Headquarters.
“I credit the patrol officers, detectives, and Special Response Team for working together to quickly identify the suspect and take him into custody without incident hours after the robbery,” Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael Winquist said in a statement, citing Rotondo’s “lengthy history,” including illegally possessing firearms and refusing commands from police.
Rotondo is being charged with second degree robbery. It was not immediately clear if he had obtained an attorney. According to police, Rotondo was also wanted on an arrest warrant lodged by the Coventry Police Department for shoplifting and violation of a no contact order.
Local News
A Rhode Island man is facing charges after allegedly body slamming an Attleboro mother of two during a suspected road rage incident Friday, according to court records.
Police responded near Newport Avenue at Highland Avenue in Attleboro just before 9 a.m. on Friday, where they found Hailea Soare on the ground, bleeding and crying, according to a police report filed in Attleboro District Court.
Gladior Kwesiah, of Pawtucket, was arrested without incident and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, vandalism of property, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to court dockets.
Multiple witnesses told police that Kwesiah and Soares were arguing outside their cars after her vehicle allegedly rear-ended his vehicle at the intersection, according to the report.
All three witnesses allege that Kwesiah, 26, “body slammed” her onto the pavement, while two told police that he also stepped on her glasses that fell to the ground. One witness said that Soares “smacked” Kwesiah before he picked her up, lifted her over his head, and dropped her on her head, according to police.
The body slam can be seen in videos shared by local news stations. The police report notes that Soares is 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, while Kwesiah is 6 foot 3 inches and more than 300 pounds.
Soares was transported to Study Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for a fractured knee, fractured foot, and head laceration, according to police.
She also suffered damage to her eye socket and “a serious skull injury,” a GoFundMe started by her family said. The fundraiser has collected more than $18,000 from nearly 500 donors out of its $30,000 goal, as of Sunday evening.
“As a single mother of two young children, Hailea now faces an uphill battle – physically, emotionally, and financially,” the GoFundMe said. “These injuries will keep her out of work for months. The financial strain of medical bills, therapy costs, and providing for her children is overwhelming.”
Kwesiah was held in the Bristol County House of Correction after not posting bail on Friday.
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A man who stole an unoccupied cruiser in Rhode Island was stopped on Route 2 in Preston after a chase early Saturday morning, according to Connecticut State Police.
Connecticut State Police was notified about a stolen Providence, Rhode Island, police cruiser on Interstate 95 South crossing into Connecticut from Rhode Island around 2:30 a.m.
The stolen cruiser was reportedly seen on I-95 south near exit 89, but then took the exit 88 off ramp to Route 117 in Groton as it saw another Connecticut State Police cruiser approaching.
Multiple Connecticut State Police cruisers turned on their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the stolen cruiser. According to Connecticut State Police, the stolen cruiser was traveling over 100 mph at times on Route 117.
Ledyard Police Department was then notified and deployed stop sticks near Route 117 and Route 2a. The stolen cruiser slowed to a stop near Route 2a and the driver was taken into custody.
The 27-year-old man from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is facing charges including reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, failure to drive in the proper lane, larceny and interfering with officer/resisting. He was not able to post the $50,000 bond and is due in court on Monday.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 4, 2025, results for each game:
26-32-43-54-56, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
03-09-27-29-33, Lucky Ball: 06
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 5-8-4-4
Evening: 1-2-7-5
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
13-16-19-23-33, Extra: 30
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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