Woonsocket Man Sentenced For Dragging Man With Car During Robbery

WOONSOCKET, RI — A Woonsocket man was sentenced to 20 years in state prison after he dragged a man with a car while stealing the victim's gold chain.

Anthony Richardson, 21, was sentenced Tuesday after he pled guilty to first-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. Prosecutors said Richardson also entered other guilty pleas, resolving several other pending cases. Those charges included similar cases of larceny, carrying a pistol without a license, conspiracy to carry a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm with altered identifying marks.

"This defendant demonstrated over and over again that he was a very real threat to public safety," Attorney General Peter Neronha said. "In 2022 alone, the defendant committed multiple acts of robbery and larceny, one of which caused the victim significant bodily harm. It is essential that we hold accountable those who demonstrate patterns of committing serious crimes and endangering the lives of others in the process."

Had the case went to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove Richardson arranged to purchase a gold chain from a victim he met through Facebook Marketplace and robbed the victim in an LA Fitness parking lot.

On April 10, 2022, Richardson and the victim met at an LA Fitness parking lot in Providence, so the victim could sell him a gold chain. Richardson and an unknown passenger arrived at the parking lot in a black Acura with a heavy tint. The victim approached the passenger side door of the Acura with the gold chain wrapped around his hand to prevent it from being taken.

According to prosecutors, the passenger tried to grab the chain from the victim’s hand while Richardson tried to drive away. The victim, unable to free his hand from the chain, was dragged several feet before he eventually freed himself. Prosecutors said Richardson and the passenger drove off with the chain, leaving the injured victim behind.

"I commend the vigilant efforts of our investigators for holding this defendant accountable for his actions," Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez said. "The women and men of the Providence Police Department are committed to ensuring public safety throughout our city and state and will continue working each and every day to remove dangerous criminals from our streets."

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