Off-duty Cranston officer finds alleged burglar

CRANSTON, R.I. -- His shift over, Cranston Officer Matthew Ricci was heading home after midnight when he saw a Cadillac that had been reported stolen during a burglary in Attleboro earlier on Tuesday.

So much for off duty.

Ricci's discovery of the car parked near 1686 Cranston St. led officers to catch the suspected burglar and recover stolen jewelry.

James Beaton, 43, of 70 Olive St., Pawtucket, was charged after a patron of the nearby Knightsville Pub told officers that a man was inside selling jewelry. Officers found Beaton in the men's room; the stolen jewelry and Cadillac keys were in the trash.

Col. Marco Palombo said Ricci's call was "excellent police work and a good example of how a police officer is never truly 'off duty.'"