WOONSOCKET - If there were a guidebook on how to steal a car, one of the points of advice would probably say check the gas tank gauge.
And another might advise against trying to take the car of a police officer.
Police say Adam J. Hanrahan, of Warwick, made both those mistakes at 1:30 p.m. Thursday while allegedly attempting to steal a car from the Wal-Mart gas station on Diamond Hill Road.
The four-door sedan is owned by Woonsocket Police Sgt. James Glode, and he was inside the station’s convenience store with his two children while off duty.
Finding Hanrahan in his car as he came out of the store, Glode attempted to stop the car theft by reaching in through the driver’s side window to take the car keys, police said.
Hanrahan resisted the move and began to drive off with Glode hanging on through the window and being dragged alongside the car, according to police Capt. Edward Lee.
"At that point, Sergeant Glode knew his life was in danger and he let go," Lee said. The police officer tumbled along the pavement, suffering minor injuries, according to Lee.
Hanrahan continued to flee in the vehicle and drove off down Diamond Hill Road in the direction of Bellingham, police said.
Glode, in turn, grabbed his cell phone and called the Police Department to report the theft and put out a description of the suspect.
It was after he reached Bellingham at Bellingham Street and Pulaski Boulevard that Hanrahan discovered his second error in the alleged theft.
"He ended up running out of gas at Bellingham Street and the Woonsocket line," Lee said.
The suspect abandoned Glode’s car and set off on foot in a further bid to flee but was located by Bellingham Patrolman Joseph Cataldo and Detective John McLaughlin attempting to hide in the rear of an auto repair business on Pulaski Boulevard.
Bellingham Sgt. Peter Lemon said Hanrahan was being held without bail as a fugitive from justice and would be arraigned for transfer to Rhode Island on Monday.
He is wanted on Woonsocket warrants for felony assault with a dangerous weapon, a car, and larceny of a motor vehicle over $500.
Hanarahan subsequently gave police a statement relating the events of the afternoon, Lemon said.
"He admitted to being desperate, missing the bus, and picking the wrong car to steal," Lemon recounted.
Lee said Hanrahan should have checked the tank if he wanted to steal a car at a gas station.
"Jimmy (Glode) was obviously going to get some gas," he said. "That’s why he was at the gas station."
On a more serious note, Lee said the incident shows that people must always be aware of the potential for crime when out with a motor vehicle.
"It just shows what we are dealing with out there. He runs into a trained police officer and still tries to take off," Lee said.
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