Cooperation, Old Fashioned Detective Work Led Police to Serial Robber

It took three weeks of connecting dots and collecting evidence, but Cranston Det. Paula Duffy kept plugging away at the case of a serial robber who had held up four Cranston businesses in less than a month, brandishing a handgun every time.

Now, an employee of the Johnston Highway Department — 48-year-old Kenneth Hassell, of 60 Highland Ave., Johnston — is behind bars at the Adult Correctional Institutions and could be spending the next few years in prison, if convicted.

It all began when Hassell walked into the Valero Gas Sation on Post Road in Warwick on April 16. It was 2:30 p.m. and he demanded money, flashing his handgun. 

Witnesses at the scene were able to get a license plate number.

That plate number eventually led police to Hassell's house, where he fled as soon as police arrived. He was apprehended a short time later.

The continued investigation by Duffy led to the conclusion that Hassell was responsible for four other armed robberies in Cranston. On April 17, he robbed the 7-11 on Reservoir Ave. Two days later, he robbed the Subway sandwich shop on Park Avenue. The same gun was used. 

Five days passed and Hassell allegedly walked into the AAA Gas Station on Park Avenue and held up the clerk, again demanding money and showing his gun. Two days later, he struck again at the Ocean State Mobil at the intersection of Park and Elmwood Avenues.

"In all the robberies, the description of the suspect was nearly exact, and his method of operation was identical," said Cranston Police Major Robert W. Ryan.

Police said they knew that they were after someone who would keep up the robbery spree if he wasn't stopped. By the time the last robbery occurred, police had amassed a pile of surveillance images collected from store security cameras. Although some were fuzzy, the last batch from the Mobil robbery were clear enough to show Hassell's receding hair line and a distinctive pair of sunglasses that matched the other robberies.

The last piece of evidence made Hassell's ID a sure bet — a tattoo on his left hand that was "very distinct" and "a great deal of help in positively identifying him."

Warwick and Cranston detectives got warrants and were able to obtain the gun used in the robberies as well as that distinctive pair of sunglasses.

He is being charged with five counts of first-degree robbery and is being held without bail. He heads to court for a status hearing on May 7.

“Through the comprehensive and collective investigative efforts and information sharing between the Cranston and Warwick Police Departments, along with much appreciated assistance from local media outlets, both communities can rest secure in the knowledge that this dangerous felon has been brought to justice," said Cranston Police Chief Col. Marco Palombo Jr.

A family member of Hassell, reached by email, said he "deserves consequences" but he "also is or was a wonderful man."

The family member said Hassell had a drug problem and "with so many it takes over your life."

"My family is strong and pray for help for my uncle Kenny," she wrote.