City man accused of car breaks caught in foot chase
WOONSOCKET – In a neighborhood suffering a plague of breaks into motor vehicles, police captured one of the alleged culprits Monday.
Alan James Wooding, 27, was tackled to the ground by police officers after a foot pursuit in the area of Mitris Boulevard and Wayne Road about 1:37 a.m., according to Detective Sgt. Matt Ryan, spokesman for the police department.
Wooding was in possession of a GPS device and some loose change that he allegedly stole from a vehicle in the area.
He was taken into custody on charges of obstructing police; resisting arrest; misdemeanor larceny; and tampering with an auto.
Ryan said Officer Girard Andrew and Sgt. Justin Glode responded to the area after the police department received a complaint that someone was breaking into a motor vehicle. On arrival, they saw Wooding and called for him to stop for some questions.
Instead of stopping, Wooding allegedly bolted, at which point the officers began chasing after him. After a few moments, Andrew caught up to him and tackled Wooding to the ground.
Wooding allegedly resisted, but the officers gained control of him after a brief struggle.
Wooding was held at the Adult Correctional Institutions as a probation violator following an appearance in District Court on Tuesday. He has a criminal record that includes a 2014 conviction for breaking and entering for which he was sentenced to 10 years, with 30 months to serve and the balance suspended, with probation.
Ryan cautioned residents in the
East Woonsocket area to be mindful of removing valuables from their motor vehicle and securing them properly while they’re unattended. He said there has been a spate of breaks into vehicles of late.
Anyone with information about such crimes is encouraged to contact the Woonsocket Police Department at 766-1212.
“It’s a hard crime to solve and it’s a problem for us,” he said. “There’s been a lot of it up in the East Woonsocket area.”