Cranston Man Pleads No Contest to Home Depot Larceny

A Cranston man has admitted to his role in serving as the driver in a larceny from the North Kingstown Home Depot in March.

Richard A. Pafume, 40, of 195 Concord Ave., Cranston, pleaded no contest on April 12 in Washington County Superior Court to a North Kingstown police charge of larceny greater than $500. In return for his plea, an additional charge of felony conspiracy was dismissed.

Superior Court Associate Justice William E. Carnes, Jr. ordered Pafume to serve three years probation and a three-year suspended sentence, and to pay $450 in assessments.

The second suspect in the case, Timothy P. Burns, 41, of 39 Laurel St., Pawtucket, pleaded not guilty at an April 11 court hearing.

Burns is charged with larceny greater than $500, two counts of felony assault and felony conspiracy. In addition, because of previous arrests, Burns is charged with habitual shoplifting. His next court date is April 25.

According to police, store employees caught Burns shoplifting in March at Home Depot.

According to the employees, outside of the store Burns asked Pafume for a knife, and then threatened the employees with it. He and Pafume then left the scene with about $2,000 in stolen merchandise.

Rhode Island State Police captured both later that day in Providence after a foot chase.