Crime & Safety
Police: Alleged Potato-Wielding Robber was Cranston Man
Police said Gary Deming, 34, tried to rob a convenience store and dry cleaners using a potato as a weapon.
The man who allegedly robbed a convenience store and dry cleaners in Providence last week has been arrested.
Providence Police said Gary Deming, 34, of Cranston, was arrested on Friday for the April 21 incident in which he attempted — and failed — to rob a convenience store and dry cleaners using a potato as a weapon.
Police said Deming walked into a Branch Avenue convenience store at around 2 p.m. and told the store manager "give me the money" before he was chased off by the manager, who brought out a baseball bat.
Shortly afterwards, Deming reportedly went into the cleaners on Charles Street and made a similar demand. He was given a fake $20 from a decoy cash register, police said.
WPRI reported that Deming is also accused of breaking into his sister's house on Douglas Avenue and stealing a purse, $100 cash and a debit card the same day as the two alleged potato robberies. Deming is due in court on Monday.
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