Police searching for suspects in attempted robbery on Federal Hill
by: Elizabeth Turley
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — An investigation is underway after two suspects attempted to rob a restaurant patron at gunpoint on Federal Hill over the weekend.
Police said officers were patrolling Atwells Avenue Sunday night when several bystanders reported seeing two suspects threaten a patron eating outside at Opa Restaurant.
The suspects eventually ran off and hopped into and took off in a pickup truck, according to police. However, police said when officers spotted the truck nearby and attempted to stop it, the driver sped away.
The pickup truck, believed to be either light blue or gray, was last seen heading toward Pawtucket.
This happened nearly a day after a woman reportedly assaulted someone in front of the same restaurant with a cinder block and high-heeled shoe. That woman, who police believe was arguing with the victim as he was backing out of a parking space, has since been arrested and charged.
Rick Simone, president of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, told 12 News that the restaurant was not involved in either incident.
Simone said he plans on asking the Providence Police Department to ramp up patrols on Federal Hill to ensure everyone is safe.
“This is not indicative of how Federal Hill is and we will be working to try and prevent these incidents as much as we can,” Simone said.