BURRILLVILLE – A Burrillville man whose crime spree included multiple vehicle thefts, premeditated assault and robbery of an elderly woman, and fleeing from police in a high-speed pursuit was arrested on Sunday after returning to the place he left a victim with intent to bury her body, according to police.
Steven Henning, 53, is facing charges in multiple communities and was held without bail on Monday.
In Burrillville, Henning is charged with larceny, driving without consent of the owner, breaking and entering, vandalism and two charges of tampering with a vehicle for crimes that took place on Tuesday, August 13, according to the state’s criminal database. In Coventry, he is charged with kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, first degree robbery, assault on a person over age 60, and burglary for offenses from Saturday, August 17.
Charges in Smithfield from his actions on Sunday include assault on a person over age 60, possession of a stolen vehicle, and eluding law enforcement in a high speed pursuit.
Henning filed a petition for bail with Kent County Superior Court and law enforcement officials described the crimes before he was ultimately held without bail.
According to reports, Henning’s crime spree began in Ohio, where he assaulted his girlfriend, and fled with a car that he stole from a family member. That car was found in Woonsocket, and on Saturday, he stole another car from Pat’s Auto Service in Burrillville.
In Coventry, Henning reportedly struck up a conversation with a woman at Wendy’s, followed her home, robbed her of jewelry and money, and demanded her vehicle.
Police say he strangled the 80-year-old woman and put her body in the trunk of her own vehicle, driving to a wooded area in Smithfield. There, the assault continued until Henning hid the victim with branches believing she was dead, according to prosecutors.
The victim eventually woke up and found her way out of the woods, reporting the incident to Smithfield police.
Henning was arrested when he returned to the scene Sunday morning with a shovel he had just purchased at a hardware store. He reportedly fled from police who were waiting for him and was eventually captured in Providence.
He has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for November 18.
Good job police!