![[CREDIT: Cranston Police] George Santana, 28, and Noel Rodriguez, 18, have been indicted on multiple carjacking and robbery charges for two separate robberies Aug. 31, 2021.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Cranston-Police-Warwick-Santana-Rodriguez.png)
![[CREDIT: Cranston Police] George Santana, 28, and Noel Rodriguez, 18, have been indicted on multiple carjacking and robbery charges for two separate robberies Aug. 31, 2021.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Cranston-Police-Warwick-Santana-Rodriguez-336x214.png)
George Santana, 29, New York, NY
On March 23, 2022, the Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging George Santana with four counts of first-degree robbery, four counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree carjacking, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree carjacking, two counts of using a firearm while in commission of a crime of violence of first-degree robbery, two counts of carrying a revolver without a license, two counts of conspiracy to carry a revolver without a license, two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon, one count of using a firearm while in commission of a crime of violence of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, and two counts of conspiracy to possess a stolen vehicle.
Santana is scheduled to be arraigned on April 6, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court.
Noel Rodriguez, 19, Providence, RI
On March 23, 2022, the Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Noel Rodriguez with four counts of first-degree robbery, four counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree carjacking, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree carjacking, two counts of using a firearm while in commission of a crime of violence of first-degree robbery, two counts of carrying a revolver without a license, two counts of conspiracy to carry a revolver without a license, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon, one count of using a firearm while in commission of a crime of violence of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of simple assault, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, and two counts of conspiracy to possess a stolen vehicle.
The alleged acts occurred in the cities of Providence, Cranston and Warwick on various dates between August 29, 2021, and August 31, 2021. The Providence, Cranston, and Warwick Police Departments conducted the investigation.
Rodriguez is scheduled to be arraigned on April 6, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court.
According to Cranston Police, on Aug. 30, 2021 at about 9:35 p.m., Cranston Police were alerted by the Flock license plate reader camera system that a white Honda CRV bearing a Maine registration was detected in an undisclosed portion of the city that was wanted in a violent armed carjacking incident in Providence and Massachusetts. Officers immediately saturated the area searching for the vehicle near the Warwick border and were unsuccessful in locating it. About two hours later, at 11:33 p.m. CPD was again alerted by the Flock system that the same vehicle was back in the city in an undisclosed location. Attempts to locate the vehicle were unsuccessful as the vehicle was moving around at a very brisk pace avoiding detection. It was later learned the vehicle was occupied by Noel Rodriguez and George Santana as they were out speeding from city to city looking for victims, police reported.
Early Tuesday, Aug. 31, a few hours later after the second Flock notification, at 1:52 a.m. officers received a 911 call from Whipple Avenue in Cranston. A male victim stated that he was robbed at gun point by two males and pistol-whipped causing lacerations to his head as he was getting out of his vehicle. After being robbed the two suspects fled with his I-phone and cash. Further investigation confirmed that Santana and Rodriguez approached the victim as he was getting out of his vehicle. Santana threatened the victim to hand over his cash and I-phone, then began a felony assault by pistol-whipping him on the head. The victim was transported to Rhode Island Hospital due to his head injuries.
As officers were investigating the previous incident, at 3:04 a.m. Cranston Police received another 911 call from Vinton Avenue that the suspects had reportedly shot (which was later clarified as an strike with a gun as a bludgeon) a male victim who was bleeding heavy and assaulted his pregnant wife, then stole their white Mercedes and fled. Officers arrived to learn that Santana and Rodgriguez had followed the victims from a Warwick gas station nearby.
Santana and Rodgriguez followed them to their home on Vinton Avenue, pulled up quickly in the white Honda CRV, approached the couple in the driveway and quickly put a gun to the head of the male victim in his Mercedes. They then robbed him of his Iphone and cash as Santana began the physical assault striking him in the head with the gun repeatedly, causing several lacerations to his head. As the male was bleeding profusely and being beaten Rodriguez turned and punched the female who was 9 months pregnant, in the face, knocking her to the ground. The woman thought her boyfriend had been shot due to witnessing the gun and pistol whipping, however he had not been shot and in the confusion with the blood the female thought he was after witnessing the gun and blood. The gun was never discharged.
Cranston Police immediately broadcast the information to surrounding cities including Warwick Police. Warwick Police notified shortly thereafter they had located the vehicles at the Motel 6 off of Jefferson Boulevard. We immediately responded to the Motel 6 in Warwick and set up a perimeter around the building. Cranston and Warwick Police maintained a perimeter along with Ri State Police as we confirmed the suspects presence. After several hours the suspects were extracted by Warwick and Cranston Police. Both suspects were later turned over to Cranston Police Detectives.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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