Arrest Made Following Series of Attempted Break-Ins and Disturbance on
Cranston Street
On October 23, 2025, at approximately 2:37 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of 1111
Cranston Street for reports of a male subject running in and out of traffic while armed with a
knife and attempting to open vehicle doors.
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. Officers immediately evacuated the business and established a perimeter around the
freezer area for public safety.
After repeated verbal commands for the suspect to surrender went unanswered, 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.
While on scene, dispatch received a call from a juvenile resident of 55 Chestnut Hill Avenue,
who reported that an unknown male, matching the description of the suspect in custody, had
entered his home moments earlier by forcing his way through the front door. The juvenile, who
was home alone, was able to scare the suspect off by brandishing a knife in self-defense.
Through investigation and review of video surveillance, officers identified the suspect as Thu
Chau, age 38, of 71 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Cranston, RI. Further investigation revealed that
Chau had also attempted to enter residences at 49 Chestnut Hill Avenue and 27/29 Chestnut Hill
Avenue earlier in the day.
Chau was arraigned by a bail commissioner at Cranston Police Headquarters on the following
charges and transported to the Adult Corrections Intake Center, and will be presented in Third
District Court in Warwick this morning for formal arraignment:
• (1) Count – Breaking & Entering a Dwelling House Without Consent
Disclaimer: All individual(s) contained in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
• (2) Counts – Attempted Breaking & Entering a Dwelling House Without Consent
• (1) Count – Vandalism/Malicious Damage to Property
• (1) Count – Weapons Other Than Firearms Prohibited
• (1) Count – Obstructing an Officer in the Execution of Duty
• (1) Count – Disorderly Conduct
Photographs and surveillance footage were obtained as evidence. No injuries to civilians or
officers were reported.
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 Cranston Police Department is working closely
with ICE in Providence relative to the most recent arrest.
Colonel Michael J. Winquist stated, “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. 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. We will continue to dedicate all
necessary resources to support this shared public safety mission.”
Thu CHAU
