Police Log

By Daniel Kittredge
Posted 11/18/15

NYC shooting suspect arrested in Cranston

A man sought in connection with a New York City shooting that left one dead was taken into custody in Cranston last week.

Francisco A. Alsina, 23, of …

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NYC shooting suspect arrested in Cranston

A man sought in connection with a New York City shooting that left one dead was taken into custody in Cranston last week.

Francisco A. Alsina, 23, of 22 Van Buren St., first floor, in Centereach, N.Y., was arrested without incident at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at 1448 Plainfield Pike. He had been sought as a fugitive from justice and on a charge of possession of arms by a person who is a fugitive. He is expected to face a murder charge upon his extradition to New York.

Members of the Rhode Island State Police, U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force, New York City Police Department and Cranston Police Department took part in the arrest. A firearm was also seized during the arrest.

The search began when New York police identified Alsina as a suspect in the Nov. 9 shooting near Penn Station in midtown Manhattan. In that incident, a gunman opened fire on three men as they entered the train station following an apparent drug-related dispute at a nearby McDonald’s. One man was killed, and the other two were seriously injured.

An alleged accomplice in the shooting, 27-year-old Vincent Arcona, was reportedly taken into custody on Nov. 12 after he walked into a New York hospital seeking treatment. Staff at the hospital reportedly recognized him from a police mug shot.

Through a press release, Rhode Island State Police Col. Steven G. O’Donnell said: “The Violent Fugitive Task Force mission is to track and apprehend violent fugitives. This is another outstanding collaborative effort of multiple law enforcement agencies, pooling their resources and bringing a very dangerous perpetrator to justice. It is important to recognize that this apprehension took place without injury to law enforcement, the public and the suspect himself. This is the professional policing that occurs on a daily basis that should be recognized.”

Cranston Chief of Police Col. Michael J. Winquist stated through the release: “I am glad that members of the Cranston Police Department were able to assist our federal and state law enforcement partners with the safe apprehension of a violent and dangerous criminal.”

Suspect in multiple incidents arrested

A man police had been seeking in connection with multiple incidents – including a pair of home break-ins, the theft of a car, and a knifepoint robbery – was taken into custody in Warwick last week.

Kwame Colon, 18, of 9 Welfare Ave., is charged with first-degree robbery, conspiracy, two counts of breaking and entering into a dwelling, and larceny over $1,500. He was ordered held without bail on the robbery and conspiracy charges at his Nov. 13 arraignment in Third District Court.

Colon was arrested Nov. 12 at the Motel 6 at 20 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick after being tracked there by an officer. Warwick police provided assistance, and the arrest was made without incident.

The investigation began Sept. 17, when Cranston police responded to a report of a home broken into and a car stolen from the same location on Beckwith Street. The vehicle was later found in Providence, and based on an investigation, police obtained a warrant for Colon’s arrest on breaking and entering and larceny charges.

On Nov. 6, police responded to reports of a knifepoint robbery at the intersection of Melrose and Rugby streets. An investigation of that incident led to a warrant for Colon’s arrest being obtained on the robbery and conspiracy charges

On Nov. 11, police responding to a residential break-in on Reservoir Avenue. The investigation of that incident led to an additional charge of breaking and entering being filed against Colon.

Two sought in American Lawnmower break-in

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects who broke into a Dyer Avenue business earlier this month.

Surveillance images and video released by police show the suspects in the Nov. 6 incident at American Lawnmower. According to police, the front door of the business was smashed, and the suspects took three Honda generators valued at $3,000. They returned two hours later, stealing three Husqvarna backpack blowers valued at $1,100 along with a Husqvarna hedge trimmer valued at $350. The suspects are said to have gained entry to the property by cutting a fence behind the business on Byron Street.

One of the suspects is described as heavy set with a ponytail, and the other as being shorter and thinner. Both are wearing dark clothing in the surveillance footage.

Video of the break-in is available on the Cranston Police Department’s Facebook page. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspects is asked to contact Detective Joseph Hopkins at 401-477-5065 or jhopkins@cranstonpoliceri.com.

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