Victim helps cops nab robbery suspects

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Three people are facing charges in connection with a weekend armed robbery. Police believe the suspects may be linked to other robberies in the area.

Two people told police they were robbed at gunpoint Saturday by three men in a minivan on Power Street in Providence.

After having their cash, wallets and cell phones taken, one of the victims checked for activity on his credit card, and saw it was used at a Pawtucket gas station. That victim then alerted police.

Providence Police called Pawtucket Police and gave them a description of the suspect's vehicle. Shortly after that, Pawtucket Police pulled over a minivan matching that description with three people inside.

The victims positively identified two of the juveniles inside the minivan as the suspects.

Meanwhile, State Police chased down the third suspect, Giovanni Fernandes, 20, on Center Street in Pawtucket.

All three have been arrested and charged with robbery.

Police believe the three suspects fit the description of several other recent robberies in the area, and additional charges could be filed.

Despite the arrests, fear of crime lingers in the East Side neighborhood, leaving many residents on edge.

"It's really scary. It reminds me to walk with friends and stuff, but apparently not even that is enough," said Cynthia Susai of Providence.