Man With Knife Menaces Motorists, Barricades Himself In Taco Bell Freezer: Cops

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston man broke into the home and menaced a minor before darting in and out of traffic while armed with a knife and attempting to open car doors and then barricading himself inside a Taco Bell freezer, police said.

Thu Chau, 38, first drew the attention of the law when calls came in shortly after 2:30 p.m. Thursday about a man "running in and out of traffic while armed with a knife and attempting to open vehicle doors," the Cranston Police Department said in a media release.

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"Upon arrival, officers were informed by witnesses that the suspect had entered the Taco Bell restaurant located at 1010 Cranston Street, where he barricaded himself inside the kitchen freezer," the release said. "Officers immediately evacuated the business and established a perimeter around the freezer area for public safety."

Chau ignored repeated calls for him to surrender, according to the release, so "officers entered the freezer and successfully took the suspect into custody following a brief struggle. A large kitchen knife, believed to have been wielded by the suspect, was recovered inside the freezer."

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While officers were at the Taco Bell, "dispatch received a call from a juvenile" living on Chestnut Hill Avenue who told of a man matching Chau's description who "entered his home moments earlier by forcing his way through the front door," the release said.

"The juvenile, who was home alone, was able to scare the suspect off by brandishing a knife in self-defense," the release said.

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The subsequent "investigation revealed that Chau had also attempted to enter" two other Chestnut Hill homes Wednesday, according to the release.

Chau was charged with attempted breaking and entering a dwelling house without consent, vandalism or malicious damage to property, possession of a weapon other than firearms prohibited, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct.

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"Chau, a Vietnamese national, was ordered for removal as a deportable alien by ICE officials in Rhode Island and Maine in 2007 and 2020, respectively, and has been arrested on five occasions in Rhode Island before yesterday's incident, the release said. "The Cranston Police Department is working closely with ICE in Providence relative to the most recent arrest."

"I commend the swift and professional response of our officers, as well as the cooperation of residents and local business staff, which resulted in the safe apprehension of the suspect," Cranston Police Chief Col. Michel J. Winquist said in the release.

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The Cranston Police Department remains committed to working collaboratively with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify and remove dangerous individuals who are in the United States illegally," Winquist said. "We will continue to dedicate all necessary resources to support this shared public safety mission."