Crime & Safety
Off Duty Cop Helps Nab Burglary Suspect, Stolen Car
Officer Matthew Ricci proved last night that there is no such thing as "off-duty" when you're a cop — and helped police nab a robbery suspect.
Note: Police released an update to this incident and said the man arrested was no James Beaton of Pawtucket. He is in fact Leonard Gray, 43, of Central Falls. Click HERE for more info.
Cranston Police Officer Matthew Ricci last night proved that a cop's job doesn't always finish at the end of a shift after his off-duty actions led to recovery of a stolen car and the arrest of a 43-year-old Pawtucket man suspected of robbery.
Ricci was driving home from work shortly after midnight when he saw a Cadillac parked on Cranston Street across the street from Cafe Itri.
Earlier that night, a car matching the Cadillac's description was broadcasted to officers after it was stolen in an Attleboro, Mass. burglary.
Ricci called for backup and saw that the car was empty but the engine was hot. That was a signal the suspect might be nearby.
Backup arrived and officers fanned out, eventually running into a Knightsville Pub patron who told police a man wearing a Patriots jersey was inside trying to sell jewelry. The patron said he assumed the jewelry was stolen and that's why police were there.
Police covered all entrances and Officers John Mastrati, Bradford Duclos and Sgt. James Needham went in but didn't find anyone wearing a Patriots jersey. They determined there was only one other place he could be — the bathroom.
Sure enough, they found James Beaton of 70 Olive St., Pawtucket, standing near the trash can in which police later found 13 chains or necklaces, four watches and 12 other pieces of various jewelry stuffed under "an inordinate number of dry paper towels placed atop the trash in an obvious attempt to conceal items tucked beneath," Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palombo Jr. said.
Beaton also had some gold jewelry in his pockets and when pressed about the stolen Cadillac, which was seized by police to be searched for additional evidence, he blurted out "OK, I am done with this, you got me, I took the car."
Attleboro Police were contacted and both departments are "working closely" together, Palombo said.
Cranston Police are charging Beaton with felony possession of stolen property, "but as the investigation continues, it is very likely additional felony charges will be added by both agencies," Palombo said.
The investigation and arrest is an example of "excellent police work and a good example of how a police officer is never truly 'off-duty.' Palombo said. "there is no 'off' switch"
Cranston Police Officer Matthew Ricci last night proved that a cop's job doesn't always finish at the end of a shift after his off-duty actions led to recovery of a stolen car and the arrest of a 43-year-old Pawtucket man suspected of robbery.
Ricci was driving home from work shortly after midnight when he saw a Cadillac parked on Cranston Street across the street from Cafe Itri.
Earlier that night, a car matching the Cadillac's description was broadcasted to officers after it was stolen in an Attleboro, Mass. burglary.
Ricci called for backup and saw that the car was empty but the engine was hot. That was a signal the suspect might be nearby.
Backup arrived and officers fanned out, eventually running into a Knightsville Pub patron who told police a man wearing a Patriots jersey was inside trying to sell jewelry. The patron said he assumed the jewelry was stolen and that's why police were there.
Police covered all entrances and Officers John Mastrati, Bradford Duclos and Sgt. James Needham went in but didn't find anyone wearing a Patriots jersey. They determined there was only one other place he could be — the bathroom.
Sure enough, they found James Beaton of 70 Olive St., Pawtucket, standing near the trash can in which police later found 13 chains or necklaces, four watches and 12 other pieces of various jewelry stuffed under "an inordinate number of dry paper towels placed atop the trash in an obvious attempt to conceal items tucked beneath," Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palombo Jr. said.
Beaton also had some gold jewelry in his pockets and when pressed about the stolen Cadillac, which was seized by police to be searched for additional evidence, he blurted out "OK, I am done with this, you got me, I took the car."
Attleboro Police were contacted and both departments are "working closely" together, Palombo said.
Cranston Police are charging Beaton with felony possession of stolen property, "but as the investigation continues, it is very likely additional felony charges will be added by both agencies," Palombo said.
The investigation and arrest is an example of "excellent police work and a good example of how a police officer is never truly 'off-duty.' Palombo said. "there is no 'off' switch"
Beaton was arraigned Wednesday in Third Division District Court and released on personal recognizance. He is due to appear court on Sept. 17 for a pre-arraignment disposition conference.
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