Crime goes up as holidays get close

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) -- Robberies are increasing during the holiday season, say Woonsocket Police, after two holdups in the past several days.

Friday night, there was a Dunkin Donuts held up on Diamond Hill Road. Then Tuesday, there was a holdup at the Valero gas station on Social Street.

Woonsocket Police Det. Jamie Paone told Eyewitness News the donut shop had been held up previously, but the arrival of Christmastime spurs people to commit crimes. "People are desperate for money," she said. "The holidays kind of add to that stress."

Paone is looking at surveillance video from the donut shop robbery to determine suspects.

Other recent robberies Eyewitness News has reported include a Lincoln liquor store held up the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a Pawtucket gas station held up at gunpoint by two men, and a gas station in Providence where the suspect jumped over a counter and pushed a clerk to the ground.