Police Sergeant Makes 'Career Arrest,' Stops 2 B&E Suspects

In what Deputy Chief David DeCesare called "a career arrest," a local officer caught two men in the act of allegedly trying to rob the Burlington Coat Factory store on Atwood Avenue by breaking into a nearby business, and kept them in custody by himself until other officers arrived, during the early morning hours of Nov. 26.

Sgt. Brian LeClair reported that he was on patrol at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday, and had just checked the front entrance of the Burlington store when he drove to the south side of the shopping plaza, which includes a soon-to-be-completed Kon's Asian Bistro, and reportedly saw two men jump down from the roof.

Both men were "dressed in all-black clothing, including face masks and gloves," LeClair wrote in his report.

After contacting headquarters and requesting back-up, LeClair drew his gun and ordered the men to lay on the ground. One of the men, later identified as Leonel Rojas, 24, of Central Falls, pulled off his mask and gloves, ran toward LeClair, and struck the officer in the face, according to police reports.

LeClair reported that he swung his flashlight at Rojas to stop him as the other man, identified as Rayder Medina, 24, of Central Falls, walked toward them. The officer then backed away from Rojas, pointed his gun at the suspects, and ordered them to lay on the ground a second time.

Both men complied, and additional officers arrived shortly after to assist LeClair with arresting the suspects.

Ptlm. Adam Catamaro reported that he found a black duffle bag which held a pry bar, a reciprocating saw, a circular grinding tool, and a can of black spray paint. After Rojas reportedly told officers where he'd parked the car used to get to the shopping plaza, Ptlm. Edward Gonzalez found the 2002 Nissan parked on Old Atwood Avenue.

LeClair reported that officers found a police scanner and a global positioning system (GPS) device with the locations of four other department stores displayed on the screen.

Police charged Rojas with felony counts of breaking and entering a business; attempted breaking and entering; possession of burglary tools; and conspiracy; as well as midemeanor counts of resisting arrest and simple assault.

Medina was charged with felony counts of breaking and entering a business; attempted breaking and entering; possession of burglary tools; and conspiracy.

Rojas and Medina were arraigned before Justice of the Peace Richard Raspallo and ordered held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston after failing to post the $40,000 bail. They have pre-arraignment hearings scheduled for Jan. 27, 2012.

In an email message on Nov. 28, DeCesare credited LeClair with successfully handling "probably one of the more stressful situations an officer can encounter — being alone, outnumbered behind a building, and confronting two criminals caught in the act of a serious crime."

DeCesare also noted that LeClair's work averted what could have been a much worse outcome.

"We are fortunate to report this incident as one that has a good ending and not a tragic one," DeCesare wrote.