Cigarettes and Tobacco News

May 17, 2007 -- PAWTUCKET - Smoking had significant short term health effects for a 27-year-old Clinton Street man Wednesday.

He ended up with a black eye and a bloody nose because he needed a smoke at the midnight hour.

The man called police at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, complaining that he had just been beaten and robbed while the was walking down Benefit Street toward the Shell Mart, 1414 Newport Ave.

"He was walking from his home to the store to buy cigarettes," said Detective Lt. Daniel Mullen. "While he was on Benefit Street, he was confronted by two men who demanded money."

The Clinton Street man said he did not recognize either of the two men confronting him. He had never met them and had never seen them in the neighborhood.

For that reason, he decided against generosity, police say.

"He refused to give them any money," Mullen said. "Then he started to walk away.

"One man punched him several times in the face. The second man took the money from his hand. Then they ran away."

The two men were both described as in their late teens or early 20s. One was heavy and one was slim. Both were described as being of average height. He told Officer Michael Lajoie that he could not remember what either man wore for clothing.

Lajoie called for a rescue for the man. Rescue workers provided first aid and offered a ride to the emergency room. The man declined further medical care, police say.

Police searched the area, looking for two men who matched the description provided. They could not locate anyone who matched the description.

Witnesses located on Benefit Street and Newport Avenue also told police that no one matching that description passed their way, police report.

The two men are sought for second degree robbery. That is the charge filed when someone takes something of value from another person illegally and by force or the threat of force. Second degree robbery is charged when there is no weapon used and the person robbed is not seriously injured.

A conviction on the charge carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison with a mandatory 5-year minimum sentence.

The robbers got only a few dollars, less than enough for two packs of cigarettes, police report.