Robbery and Assault with Apprehension, 99 Kenyon Street

Providence, RI: On December 14, 2017 at approximately 1608 hours, Providence Police
responded to 99 Kenyon Street for a report of a robbery. Police spoke with the
30-year-old female victim who stated she was walking on Broadway, towards DePasquale
Square, when she observed a black male subject cross the street from in front of the
cinema on Broadway to DePasquale. The subject was wearing red sweatpants, a black
jacket and a black hood or hat. As the victim was approaching Kenyon Street, the
subject ran up from behind and placed his arm around her, displaying a black firearm
and stating to the victim to «keep walking.» The victim stopped walking upon
approaching 99 Kenyon Street when the subject hit her in the side of the face with
the firearm and proceeded to take her Samsung Galaxy phone and wallet from her hand,
containing the victim’s driver’s license and credit cards, and the subject then fled
down Kenyon Street towards America Street

At 1630 hours, Patrolwoman Jennifer Fonseca was patrolling the area of America
Street when she observed a subject fitting the description of the subject
responsible for the robbery. Patrolwoman Fonseca observed the subject quickly turn
onto 74 America Street. Patrolwoman Fonseca exited her marked police vehicle,
displaying her department issued firearm, and ordered the male subject to the
ground. At this time, Patrolman Troy Lambert arrived on scene and placed the suspect
into handcuffs. For officer safety, Patrolman Lambert searched the suspect and
located a firearm in his possession. Patrolwoman Fonseca then located a black
Samsung cell phone and the license and credit cards belonging to the robbery victim.
Patrolwoman Brittany Boudreau transported the victim to the scene, who positively
identified the subject as being responsible for the robbery and assault.

During transport to central station the subject refused to identify himself to
Patrolwoman Fonseca. Once in the cell block, the subject eventually identified
himself to police as Romario Keita, age 19 of Providence. The firearm was later
learned to be a BB gun and was seized by Patrolman Lambert. Keita was charged with
First Degree Robbery and held for the next session of 6th District Court.