Providence Man Assaults Elderly Man In Carjacking In Cranston: Police

CRANSTON, RI — Cranston police have arrested a Providence man they said assaulted an elderly man during a carjacking on Friday morning.

Matthew Figueroa Hernandez, 20, was charged with first-degree robbery, assault on a person over the age of 60 resulting in serious bodily injury, domestic simple assault and battery, and domestic disorderly conduct.

Around 6:09 a.m., police received a call about an ongoing assault on Pontiac Avenue. Officers arrived and found an elderly man suffering from several serious injuries.

Police said they later learned the victim was driving on Pontiac Avenue when Hernandez flagged him down. When the victim stopped, police said Hernandez pulled him from his car and attacked him. Police said the suspect then stole the victim's car and sped away with a woman.

The victim was taken to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Police said the man is expected to survive his injuries, but he remains in the hospital with serious injuries.

Prior to apprehending Hernandez, Cranston police alerted the pubic and asked they be vigilant. Police said the stolen vehicle was a black 2014 Toyota Corolla. It had a Rhode Island registration with a plate reading 363-706.

Police said detectives later learned Hernandez was possibly at an address in North Kingstown. It was there officers spotted the stolen vehicle and arrested him, police said.

"I commend the detectives for their intensive efforts in solving a violent and senseless crime resulting in serious injury to one of our city's senior residents," Cranston police Col. Michael Winquist said. "Members of this police department take great pride in keeping the residents of Cranston safe, and random acts such as this are fortunately rare. When they occur, we will leverage all resources to bring the person responsible to justice."

Hernandez was ordered held without bail at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

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