UPDATED: Man Arrested for Setting Fire to Newport Mansion Carjacked Woman Using Fishing Spear

UPDATED: Man Arrested for Setting Fire to Newport Mansion Carjacked Woman Using Fishing Spear

A Newport man has been arrested on eleven charges including arson, robbery, and assault following multiple incidents overnight. 

According to police, Foster Krupa, age 25, whose last known address was Annendale Road in Newport, attempted to carjack a vehicle belonging to a Salve Regina student. 

Police say Krupa also attempted to set fire to Carey Mansion located at 207 Ruggles Avenue -- and then assaulted a responding police officer. SEE POLICE REPORT BELOW

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Carey Mansion, also known as Seaview Terrace, is among the largest mansions in Newport and housed an all-girls school and was previously used as a dormitory for Salve, it is now privately owned. The exterior was used in the American Gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows" on ABC.

Krupa was arrested by police and faces charges of simple assault, felony assault, first-degree arson, first-degree robbery, tampering with a vehicle,  and breaking-and-entering while a resident was home.

He also faces multiple charges of vandalism to a property. 

 

Police Issue Report

On Wednesday morning, Newport police issued the following:

On 2/28/24 at about 12:14 a.m., multiple Newport Police Officers responded to the area of 518 Bellevue Avenue for a reported car-jacking in progress. 

The suspect pointed a fishing spear at the female victim and ordered her out of the vehicle. The victim called 911 and provided a description of her vehicle. Officers located the vehicle unoccupied off the road on Wickham Road near Brenton Road with heavy front-end damage. The 25-year-old suspect, Foster Krupa of 80 Annandale Ave #1, Newport was located near the scene of the vehicle crash.  

While officers were attempting to take him into custody, a struggle ensued and 2 officers sustained minor injuries.  

During the course of this incident, the Newport Fire Department reported they received a sprinkler alarm at 207 Ruggles Avenue. Upon their arrival, they located several separate fires in the basement. After the fires were extinguished, the Newport Fire Marshall determined that the fire was consistent with arson. The RI State Fire Marshall responded to the scene and took over the investigation.  

While NPD Officers were conducting their investigation into the car-jacking, it was determined that there were several vandalisms to vehicles in the parking lot of 206 Ruggles Avenue.  

Subsequent to the investigation, Mr. Krupa was linked to all of the crimes and was charged with  Robbery, Arson, Breaking and Entering, 2 counts of Felony Assault and Larceny over $1,500.  All of these charges are felonies. 

Mr. Krupa was also charged with the following misdemeanor charges: 5 counts of vandalism, 2 counts of Simple Assault, Resisting Arrest and Duty to Stop in Accident Involving a Motor Vehicle.  

He will be arraigned in Newport District Court today at 9:00 a.m.  The investigation is still on going.  

 

This story was first published 2/28/2024 8:14 AM

Updated 2/28/2024 10:08 AM