Man charged after armed carjackings in Middletown and Newport

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — A Warren man was arrested Monday after allegedly carjacking multiple people on Aquidneck Island crashing two stolen vehicles before being taken into custody in Massachusetts.

Jaron Monroe, 37, faces several charges, including felony assault, according to police.

The chaos began around 7:45 a.m., when Newport police said Monroe pulled into their front lot claiming he was experiencing an emergency. Officers reported he appeared to be in a mental health crisis, but when asked to shut off his car and step out, Monroe locked the doors and drove away.

Minutes later, Middletown police responded to reports of an armed carjacking outside Shaw’s supermarket on East Main Road. Two victims told officers a man with a gun stole their Jeep.

Shortly afterward, Newport police were called to a crash involving the stolen Jeep crashed near the rotary at Admiral Kalbfus Road. Witnesses reported the suspect waved a handgun and threatened bystanders before fleeing on foot.

Police said Monroe then carjacked a mother and her 9-year-old daughter outside The Admiralty apartments, taking off in their gray Toyota SUV.

Around 8:30 a.m., Monroe crashed the Toyota on I-195 West near Exit 10A in Somerset, Massachusetts and again fled on foot. A nearby resident called the police to report  a man running through backyards and hopping fences.

As officers searched the neighborhood, they said Monroe approached police cruisers and tried to get inside before being arrested. A firearm was recovered from the stolen SUV.

Investigators also learned Monroe was involved in an earlier crash on Valley Road and had allegedly pointed a gun at someone outside a gas station on East Main Road before the first carjacking.

Police confirmed no victims were physically harmed during the incidents.

In addition to felony assault, Monroe is charged with:

• Robbery of the owner, lessor, or occupant of a motor vehicle
• Assault with intent to commit specified felonies
• Duty to stop in accidents resulting in vehicle damage

The case is now under investigation by Newport, Middletown, and Massachusetts State Police.