Man arrested for Glocester break-in, jewelry theft

Rachael Perry

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

GLOCESTER, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man with an extensive criminal history was arrested after breaking and entering into a Glocester home Wednesday morning.

The Glocester Police Department arrested of 55-year-old William Phipps, who allegedly broke into a home on James Lane and stole various amounts of jewelry.

The homeowner, identified as Christopher Harkness, told police he was outside mowing his lawn, waiting for a relative to arrive. But the relative entered the home, he discovered Phipps inside.

“Phipps then ran to a lower level room, pushed out a screen and jumped out the window,” said Captain Joseph Mattera with the Glocester Police Department.

Captain Mattera added that upon seeing Phipps running from the property, Harkness dismounted his lawn mover and pursued the susoect.

Harkness and his relative chased Phipps for about ¼ of mile, and successfully captured him in the area of Harmony Farms near Saw Mill Road.

Phipps was charged with the following offenses:

  • Breaking and entering a dwelling when resident on premise (felony)
  • Larceny under $1500.00 (misdemeanor)

Phipps was held on $25,000.00 with security bail, and may be a probation violator out of Virginia.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017

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