Rumford Neighborhoods Ransacked by Car Thieves

The Rumford section of East Providence has been recently hit by thieves hoping to score easy loot from unlocked vehicles.

According to Patrolman Andy Benoit, unlocked vehicles in the Bowen Court condominium complex off Willett Avenue were ransacked last Thursday, Nov. 10. Vermont Avenue was also a target. On Friday, Nov. 11, a resident reported her purse was stolen from her unlocked vehicle.

"It's a crime of opportunity," he said.

Multiple Edward Avenue residents reported GPS units stolen Tuesday, Nov. 15. A Bicknell Avenue resident reported three Marine KA-BAR knives were stolen from under a seat. The case was left.

Ben Pietruszka is one of the unlucky ones. On Tuesday, Nov. 15, at approximately 6:45 a.m. the Edward Avenue resident opened his passenger door and noticed the glove box and compartment between the two fronts seats was open. The GPS was stolen. He then looked in the other car and found that glove box open.

"I then called the police and notified nearby neighbors who also had their GPS’s [stolen] and some money," he wrote in an e-mail.

Police have also noticed a jump in stolen vehicle reports within the past month, according to Patrolman Benoit. 

On Sunday, Nov. 13, an unlocked Subaru was found missing from Arcadia Avenue. The next day, it was found parked on Thatcher Street. According to Patrolman Benoit, stolen car crimes are sometimes committed by teenagers looking to go on joyrides. Sometimes, they later turn up in Providence. 

The department tends to see an uptick in crime during the holidays. 

"There are more break-ins," he said. "People are desperate...They know people have Christmas gifts in the house."

To protect against thieves, he recommends residents be vigilent in locking doors, keeping valuables out of site, and wiping down residue from GPS stickers left on windshields.