Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announces the arrest of three individuals for assault and an attempted arson that occurred on April 27, 2023, at approximately 1:43 AM at 252 Greenwood Street, Cranston.

Officers responded to a report of a Molotov cocktail" being thrown from a moving vehicle at a van that was parked and occupied at the time. The driver followed the suspect vehicle before disengaging near Doric Avenue and calling the Cranston Police. The incident was captured on privately owned surveillance cameras. Fortunately, nobody was injured.

A joint investigation by the Cranston Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Cranston Fire Prevention Unit, and the State Fire Marshal's Office was immediately launched. Investigators located the suspect vehicle the following day using various tools, including the FLOCK Safety license plate reader system. Evidence of the incendiary device was collected from the scene matched materials inside the suspect vehicle. The victims were interviewed, and investigators subsequently identified two adult females and a juvenile male as the responsible parties for the arson and assault.

Arrest warrants were issued, and on May 3, 2023, the Cranston Police Department arrested Brianna Wischnowsky, age 20, of 383 Commonwealth Avenue, Warwick, RI, Drew Rappoport, age 19, of 793 Hammet Road, Coventry, RI, and a juvenile male.

All three individuals have been charged with 5th-Degree Arson, Felony Assault with a Dangerous Weapon or Substance (3 counts), and Conspiracy. The Cranston Police Department and its partnering agencies are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community and will continue to diligently investigate and pursue all those who engage in criminal activities.

We want to express our sincere thanks to the Cranston Fire Prevention Unit and the State Fire Marshal's Office for their assistance that promptly led to the identification and arrests of the individuals alleged to have committed these criminal offenses.