News Summary
Michael J. Guerrero, 36, has been charged with multiple offenses, including kidnapping and assault, after allegedly attacking a 75-year-old woman in Rhode Island. The victim reported the incident to police after an attempted lewd act during what she believed was a valet service. Guerrero was arrested and will face a dangerousness hearing as the community expresses concern for vulnerable individuals’ safety.
Rhode Island – A 36-year-old man, Michael J. Guerrero, has been arraigned on multiple charges, including kidnapping and assault against a 75-year-old woman. During his arraignment, Guerrero pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has been held without bail and is awaiting a dangerousness hearing to determine whether he will remain incarcerated before his trial.
The alarming incident occurred on September 14, when the victim reported a violent attack to the Pembroke Police after dining at a Ninety-Nine Restaurant. The elderly woman had accidentally left her wallet and cell phone at the restaurant. When she returned around 9:15 p.m. to retrieve her belongings, she encountered Guerrero, who falsely identified himself as a valet driver.
Guerrero offered to drive the woman to the back entrance of the restaurant, which he claimed was unlocked. Instead, he entered the victim’s vehicle and drove her away from the location towards the highway. Reports indicate that Guerrero demanded the woman perform lewd acts and threatened her by stating he had a gun. As they approached a four-way intersection, the woman saw an opportunity to escape the vehicle.
As the woman attempted to flee, Guerrero turned off the engine, exited the car, and discarded the keys before fleeing the scene. The victim managed to return to Massachusetts and subsequently reported the incident to the Pembroke Police.
In the following days, police released surveillance images of the suspect, appealing to the public for assistance in identifying him. Witnesses and several local restaurant employees came forward, indicating they had seen a man resembling Guerrero before the kidnapping incident. Investigators utilized this information, along with surveillance footage, to identify Guerrero, who was further confirmed to have used a rideshare app to travel to the crime scene.
Law enforcement ultimately arrested Guerrero in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 24. After signing a waiver, he was extradited back to Massachusetts on September 25. He faces an array of charges, including carjacking, kidnapping, indecent assault and battery on a person over 60 or disabled, assault and battery on a person over 60 or disabled, assault with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, and a threat to commit crime.
Guerrero is scheduled for a dangerousness hearing on October 6, which will assess whether he poses a significant risk to the community while awaiting trial. Meanwhile, an extended mental health evaluation has been ordered for another individual, unrelated to this case.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of vulnerable individuals in the community and has drawn attention from law enforcement in their efforts to protect senior citizens from such violent acts. As the case progresses, it will be monitored closely by both law enforcement and the public.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Boston Herald
- Wikipedia: Kidnapping
- Fall River Reporter
- Google Search: Kidnapping News
- Patriot Ledger
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Assault
- ABC6 News
- Google News: Pembroke Restaurant Kidnapping
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
