Cigarette resales inspire rash of store break-ins in No. Smithfield, nearby towns

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NORTH SMITHFIELD – The suspect captured by police this month following a break-in at Lil’General on Great Road is believed to have broken into several local convenience stores, stealing cartons of cigarettes for resale.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, around 2:30 a.m., National Grid workers reportedly witnessed a man, later identified as Carlos Walker, 24, of Woonsocket, kicking in the glass front door of the store and called police, according to reports.

Walker had reportedly fled toward the nearby woods carrying a trash bin filled with cartons of cigarettes, which he later abandoned during the escape, and were found by police.

In a nearby parking lot, police located a grey Toyota Camry driven by 22-year-old Brian Miranda. According to police, the car matched the description of one involved with several area break-ins. Officers found what they believed to be cocaine inside the vehicle and in surveillance footage, it appeared Miranda had dropped Walker off.

Despite help from the Burrillville Police K-9 unit, officers were unable to locate Walker that night. Miranda was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving with an expired license.

Police also contacted Miranda’s girlfriend who identified Walker in photographs, as well as Walker’s brother, Caleb Jenschke, who was reportedly wanted in connection with another break-in in Smithfield. She also said she had seen Jenschke trying to sell cartons of cigarettes on the social media site Snapchat.

The following week, NSPD received a call from Medway police who said that just an hour before the Lil’ General incident, they responded to a home invasion where the victim had been stabbed and beaten by three suspects. Walker had been identified on security footage from the incident and was wanted for attempted murder. 

Police apprehended Walker at a home on Cato Street in Woonsocket on Monday, Oct. 19. He was charged with breaking and entering, attempted larceny, vandalism and obstructing an officer. 

Walker has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for January 15.  

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