Armed Robbery Suspect Captured

JOHNSTON, RI – Police have captured a suspect in a convenience store armed robbery, according to Deputy Chief Daniel Parrillo.

It happened shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday Nov. 20, at BD Mart, 1180 Atwood Ave, Johnston. A suspect with a scarf over his face, entered the business, showed two clerks a black handgun, and told them not to move.

"The suspect then proceeded to jump over the counter breaking the glass in the process and pointed the weapon at them," he said. He was yelling, "Keep your hands up."

According to police, the suspect grabbed $359 from the register, jumped back over the counter, and fled. On his way out, he dropped some of the money and the scarf.

"A retired law enforcement officer inside the store followed the suspect up Scituate Avenue on foot; and a tow truck operator close by tried to block in the suspect’s vehicle causing the suspect to damage his vehicle while fleeing," the deputy chief said.

The victims and the witnesses were able to give a detailed description of the suspect and his vehicle. That information led to the quick apprehension a few minutes later by Johnston Patrol officers on Central Avenue in Johnston, one-quarter mile from the scene.

"The currency and a black BB gun were recovered,"police said. " The suspect was identified as Christopher Garofano, 31, of Johnston." He has no priors, police said.

"During this investigation by the detective division, it was determined that Garofano is also responsible for a similar armed robbery that occurred at the same BD Mart on Nov. 7, 2016" at 10:30 p.m.

"At that time the suspect, who was described as 6 feet 200 lbs., wore a bandana over his face and displayed a black handgun threatening the clerk. He too jumped over the counter and stole cash from the register." In that robbery, $400 was stolen. The suspect fled.

"Garofano was charged with 7 felonies: 2 counts Armed Robbery-1st degree, 3 counts felony assault with a dangerous weapon, and 2 counts of carrying a dangerous weapon when committing a crime of violence," police said. "He appeared in court today and was released on $10,000.00 with surety."