Cranston, RI – The Cranston Police Department announces the arrest of a 55-year-old Cranston man in connection with the November 6, 2026, stabbing of a 46-year-old male in the parking lot of the apartment complex located at 1369 Park Avenue.
David Mendez, 55, of Cranston, was taken into custody without incident at approximately 9:30 a.m. this morning inside a garage at a residence in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Members of the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section had been actively tracking Mendez’s movements since the incident. The United States Marshals Service also assisted in the investigation and apprehension. Investigators located and seized the suspect vehicle at a separate address in New Bedford.
Mendez will be arraigned in New Bedford District Court as a Fugitive from Justice. Upon his return to Rhode Island, he will be charged with Felony Assault in connection with the stabbing.
The victim, who suffered multiple stab wounds to his torso and arm, remains hospitalized. His condition has since been upgraded from critical to stable.
The investigation found that Mendez and the victim had a prior relationship. Detectives continue to investigate the exact nature of that relationship and the circumstances that led to the violent attack.
Technology played a significant role in identifying Mendez as a suspect within minutes of the initial incident. Based on a witness’s description of the suspect vehicle, Cranston detectives utilized the department’s Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system to conduct a targeted search using the vehicle description and a partial license plate.
That search produced a matching vehicle in the immediate area of the crime. Investigators determined the vehicle was registered to a Cranston resident and that Mendez had previously been stopped by Cranston police officers while operating it. Investigators also established that Mendez matched the suspect’s physical description provided by the witness.
These developments quickly gave detectives a viable suspect and allowed them to focus their efforts on locating Mendez. The subsequent investigation and coordinated efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies ultimately led to his apprehension in Massachusetts.
Colonel Michael Winquist stated, “The role that technology played in this investigation, combined with the outstanding investigative work of our detectives and the tenacious efforts of our law enforcement partners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, cannot be overstated. Within minutes of this violent attack, our detectives were able to utilize a witness’s description of the suspect vehicle and our Flock ALPR system to identify a vehicle of interest and develop a viable suspect. That initial investigative work set in motion a coordinated effort that ultimately resulted in this arrest.
“I also want to specifically commend the witness who came forward and provided critical information to our investigators. Additionally, I want to recognize the first responding officers who immediately put their tactical medical training and equipment to use to control the victim’s bleeding from multiple stab wounds. Their quick actions provided critical medical assistance before the victim was transported to the hospital. He is fortunate to have survived such a brutal attack.
“Finally, I want to thank the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and the United States Marshals Service for their outstanding cooperation and coordinated efforts in locating and apprehending this suspect. This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when effective technology, dedicated police work, and strong law enforcement partnerships come together.”
The investigation remains active as detectives continue working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the assault.
