Teen, 3 Juveniles Charged with Burglarizing Cranston House, Stealing Car

A 19-year-old man and three juveniles, all from Providence, are facing various charges after they allegedly were caught in the act of burglarizing a city house shortly before noon on Tuesday.

Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said that Alejandro Ovalles, of 1336 Eddy St. and the three juveniles burst out of the rear of the house as officers prepared to surround them at around 11:38 a.m.

Police got a call from someone reporting suspicious activity, Winquist said, and plainclothes and uniformed officers arrived to find the suspects still inside the house.

As officers began to surround the house, they noticed the rear door was ajar and a window had been broken.

Just then, the suspects “burst out of the rear of the home and a foot pursuit ensued,” Winquist said.

They were chased through several yards but it didn’t take long for police to round up all the suspects.

Both floors in the two-family house were entered by the suspects, police said, and several items taken during the burglary were recovered by police, some still in possession of the suspects.

Police said a stolen vehicle was found nearby and believed to have been used by the suspects and was planned to be the getaway vehicle.

Ovalles was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, two counts of breaking and entering, three counts of conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The juveniles were charged with breaking and entering, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and conspiracy.

Ovalles was arraigned Wednesday morning in Third Division District Court and released on personal recognizance with a future court date.

The juveniles were transported to the Rhode Island Training School pending a Family Court hearing.

“I commend these officers for their swift response and apprehension of all of the suspects who attempted to flee the scene of a crime on foot,” Winquist said. “I want to also thank the observant citizen, whom quickly alerted the Cranston Police Department of suspicious activity. The combined efforts of the Cranston Police Department and an alert citizen led to yesterday’s arrests and will likely prevent the victimization of other home owners in the City of Cranston.”