Tiverton man who committed violent robbery in Fall River while on probation sentenced to prison

A 59-year-old Tiverton, RI man who committed a violent robbery in Fall River last May while already on probation for a previous robbery, was sentenced recently to serve five to seven years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn announced.

Randy Audet pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court and was sentenced by Judge Sharon Donatelle.

“This defendant committed another armed robbery while on release for the same type of crime. He clearly needs to be kept off the street to protect the public and the local small business community,” District Attorney Quinn said.

On May 29, 2021, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Fall River Police were dispatched to Maplewood Suprette at 1545 Stafford Road in regards to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, police spoke to two female victims who were working behind the counter when a man walked into the store and yelled, “Lottery, money, lottery, money.” The man was pointing toward the lottery machine, and the victims believed he had a gun because it appeared there was an object underneath his sweatshirt. Surveillance footage from one angle clearly showed the defendant’s hand gesturing as if he had a firearm. One of the victims placed a handful of dollar bills on the counter and grabbed a bat from under the counter. The man grabbed the money and fled. One of the victims chased Audet out of the store with the bat and smashed the driver’s side window of the vehicle he was operating. A struggle also ensued as he was attempting to flee, and she was able to pull the face mask off of his face. The man threw the money at her and it fell on the ground. The man then fled, traveling north on Stafford Road.

Audet’s description and the fact that he was seen fleeing in a white vehicle with a smashed driver’s side window was put out to area police departments. Shortly thereafter, Tiverton Police located the defendant’s vehicle just over the state line in Rhode Island. After further investigation, the vehicle was determined to belong to Audet’s relative, who resided on Stafford Road. Police went to that location and found Audet inside.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kristen Wiley.