Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

JOHNSTON, R.I. -- Two Providence men were arrested today when the Johnston police said they caught them red-handed stealing the tires and aluminum rims off a car.

Johathan Mercado, 18, of 27 Noyes Ave., and Roy Felix, 20, of 35 Washington Ave., were charged with larceny over $500 and conspiracy to commit larceny, both felonies. The two were also charged with vandalism, a misdemeanor, Police Maj. Ralph Bubar III said.

The police are looking for the third suspect, who swam across the Woonasquatucket River into Providence.

A Cecil Street resident called police around 1:30 a.m. to report that three men were stealing the tires from his neighbor's car, which was parked on the driveway of 11 Cecil St.

When the police arrived, they found the car up on milk crates with all four tire removed.

The three men, who were wearing hooded sweatshirts, fled the scene.

Officer Ryan Lemieux chased after Mercado and grabbed soon later. Officers found Felix in the backyard of 10 Cecil St.

The third suspect, whom the police identified as an 18-year-old Providence man, fled toward the river and swam across into Providence, where he left a trail of clothes. Officers chased him with a police dog, but eventually lost his scent.

Bubar said the police found two cars at 11 Cecil St. One belonged to a relative of Felix's. The other, which was left running with the keys in the ignition, belonged to the third suspect, Bubar said.

Mercado and Felix are expected to be arraigned this afternoon in the police station.

 Tags  Johnston RI theft

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