Off-Duty Providence Police Officer Interrupts Armed Robbery in Cranston, Apprehends Suspect
Friday, December 13, 2019
An off-duty Providence Police officer interrupted an armed robbery in Cranston and arrested the suspect.
The officer, Ralph Abenante, arrested Megan Giannakas, 33, of Johnston, after she had just robbed the 7-11 on Plainfield Pike in Cranston.
“Police officers are never truly off-duty and are committed to protecting the public at all times. We are grateful for Officer Abenante’s willingness to spring into action and risk his safety to apprehend an armed suspect who had just committed a violent crime in our city,” said Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael Winquist.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGiannakas is charged with first-degree robbery, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Giannakas will also be presented as a Superior Court violator due to a 2017 conviction for larceny from a person, where she received a three-year sentence.
She served 90 days of this sentence, with the remainder being suspended/probation.
The Incident
According to Cranston Police, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Patrol Officers from the Cranston Police Department were sent to Tremont Street to assist an off-duty, uniformed Providence Police Officer who was detaining a female suspect alleged to have robbed the 7-11 convenience store located at 1394 Plainfield Pike, Cranston.
When Cranston Officers arrived, they were met by Providence Police Officer Abenante, who had a female suspect detained. Also, at the location was a quantity of cash, a steak knife, and a 7-11 coffee cup.
Officer Abenante said that he was off-duty and in uniform after completing his shift when he entered the 7-11 to make a purchase. When Abenante approached the register, the clerk informed him that he had just been robbed by a female suspect armed with a knife and wearing a red sweatshirt.
The clerk told Abenante that he had just handed the suspect the cash from the register (totaling $196) as Abenante entered the store.
The clerk stated that once the suspect observed Officer Abenante in uniform, she quickly exited. Abenante left the business and began checking the area in his personal vehicle when he saw a person matching the suspect’s description running onto Tremont Street.
Abenante caught up to the suspect on the front porch of a residence on Tremont Street, where he was able to disarm her and place her in handcuffs after a brief struggle.
Abenante sustained minor lacerations during the confrontation.
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