Man arrested after posing as valet at Hasbro Children’s Hospital

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Providence man is facing several charges after a stolen-car investigation escalated into a dangerous pursuit that ended with a fiery crash in Cranston on Sunday.

Police say 35-year-old Justin M. Rose, 35,  posed as a valet outside Hasbro Children’s Hospital, convincing a woman to hand over her keys shortly after she arrived with her children around 7 a.m. When she returned later and couldn’t locate her vehicle, hospital security informed her the man she spoke with did not work there.

According to the police report, officers later spotted the stolen vehicle near Broad and Sassafras streets. As they approached, the suspect, initially lying low inside, suddenly sat up and allegedly accelerated toward an officer on foot, striking two cruisers.

The chase continued into Cranston, where the vehicle went up an embankment off Wellington Avenue. The crash sparked a fire that quickly consumed the stolen car and spread to a nearby police cruiser before first responders brought it under control.

He’s now facing multiple charges including:

• Felony Assault and/or Battery (3 counts)
• Larceny in an amount exceeding $1,500 but below $5,000
• Assault of Police Officer and Other Official
• Possession of Stolen Vehicle – 1st Offense
• Reckless Driving and Other Offenses Against Public Safety – 1st Offense
• Eluding Law Enforcement, Vehicle in a High Speed Pursuit – 1st Offense (2 counts)
• Duty to Stop for Accident Resulting in Damage to Vehicle (2 counts)

Posing as valet at Hasbro Children’s Hospital