Stabbing holdup suspect in court

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The suspect in a violent holdup faced a judge Monday on charges he stabbed a gas station convenience store clerk and stole cash from the register. He's now being held on $100,000 bail, pending a hearing in Superior Court in April.

Robert Ruggieri, 58, is charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to commit a felony, and assault with weapons other than firearms prohibited. Cranston Police say he entered the Best Way Mart at 280 Atwood Ave. on Saturday night, shortly before 6:30 p.m., and was captured on surveillance cameras.

Police arrested Ruggieri Sunday. In court, he appeared in handcuffs in a green t-shirt with the neck torn open, and a small trimmed gray mustache.

The surveillance images show the crook's hair was a mix of silver or white, and black, and he wore a leather coat and glasses. Prosecutors say Ruggieri stabbed the clerk multiple times -- in the abdomen and chest.

The public defender's office requested lowered bail for Ruggieri, considering he's had a clean record since 1978, had an honorable discharge from the military, and is currently receiving medication along with other treatment at a local VA hospital.

Prosecutors said the clerk had had surgery this weekend, and Monday, was on a ventilator, unconscious, in critical condition from his stab wounds.