Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Antonio Braithwaite (age 30), of Providence, pleaded nolo contendere yesterday to one count of first degree robbery. Under the terms of the plea before Superior Court Justice Richard Licht, Braithwaite was sentenced to 20 years with 10 years to serve and the remainder suspended, and ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution.
Had the case proceed to trial, the State was prepared to prove on March 25, 2016, Braithwaite robbed a 92-year-old man outside the Citizens Bank on Academy Avenue in Providence.
The victim had withdrawn $1,000 from the bank and was walking towards his vehicle when the defendant and a second individual approached and strong-armed him, and took the envelope with the money from the man's pocket. The suspects fled on foot to a waiting motor vehicle nearby.
Witnesses gave police a description of the suspects and bank surveillance footage showed the defendant in the bank line behind the victim immediately before the incident.
Providence Police arrested Braithwaite on March 30, 2016. The second suspect was never identified
"The defendant spotted what he thought to be an easy target for this robbery. Thankfully the victim was not injured in this robbery and witnesses were able to provide police with details and information that led to his arrest," said Attorney General Kilmartin
Providence Police Detective Robert Melaragno led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit Diane Daigle prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.