Suspect sought in dangerous prank

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - East Providence police are looking for whoever pulled a costly, and potentially dangerous prank.

Hazmat crews rushed to a Pawtucket Avenue Cumberland Farms late Wednesday night, after someone inside threw white powder on the floor. The substance turned out to be harmless, but it tied up almost two dozen firefighters and police officers for hours.

Paramedic Steven Proulx told Eyewitness News, "I stood there like I was watching a movie, he walked right by me. I was flabbergasted."

Proulx and his partner stepped inside the Cumberland Farms during a break when it happened.

"It was a small orange box, he just turned and poured it in his hands, and a pile of it ended up getting all over the floor. He still had a bunch in his hand, and he gripped it, turned sideways and walked out the door." 

"I just let the clerk know, she asked me what to do. I said you might want to call police," says eyewitness Ryan Elmasian.

When hazmat teams responded they took samples from the floor. It was tested, and results came back as baking soda.

Police are now reviewing surveillance tape hoping to catch whoever did it, with the message, a stunt like this is no joke.

Because the powder is not harmful, the most whoever did this can be charged with is disorderly conduct.

Anyone with information should call East Providence police.