Newport Man Arrested for Strong-Arm Robbery on Broadway

Newport Police arrested a 51-year-old Newport man on Wednesday who allegedly stole $51 cash out from the hand of a man who had just walked out of Ben’s Chili Dogs on Broadway on Monday afternoon.

Police said Thomas Robert Durand, 45, of 15 Meeting St., Newport, reportedly walked up to the victim and asked if he wanted to buy pills. When his offer was rejected, he reportedly snatched a pair of $20s, a $10 and a $1 bill from his hand and fled north on Broadway.

The victim, also of Newport, walked to Newport Police Headquarters a short distance away on Broadway to report the crime. He was intoxicated, police said, and told police that he didn’t know the robber’s name but knew who he was because he frequently hangs out on Broadway and goes by the nickname “Skinny Tommy.”

Police began an investigation and eventually identified Durand as their suspect.

On Wednesday, an officer on patrol saw Durand walking on Marlborough Street and he was taken into custody without incident.

He was due to appear in court on Thursday.