I-Team: Costume-shop owner accused of cyberstalking
Alternative content
Woman Accused Of Cyberstalking
A Providence business owner is accused of using a computer to harass a competitor.
NBC 10
Ann Bruno, accused of cyberstalking a competitor, wears a costume while mocking questions from the NBC 10 I-Team.
CRANSTON, R.I.—A Providence business owner is accused of using a computer to harass a competitor.
Cranston police arrested Ann Bruno on Monday. It’s the first time Cranston police have used the state’s cyberstalking law.
Police said they caught Bruno in the act of allegedly cyberstalking and harassing her competitor.
Tracy Sisson owns the Absolute Fun business in Cranston.
For the past year, she’s been getting dozens of harassing phone calls a day at her business and her home.
She said she suspected the calls were being made by a woman who is a competitor of hers and with whom she’s had some professional differences in the past.
Sisson said she received 50 to 60 calls a day from different people. Fed up with harassing phone calls, losing sleep and any peace of mind, Sisson called Cranston police a few months ago.
With Sisson’s help, investigators said they caught Bruno, 59, who owns Bruna Puppets and Costumes in Cranston, in the act of cyberstalking Sisson using a computer at the Cranston Public Library.
“She was basically engaging in signing Mrs. Sisson up for inquires and questions, debt-relief programs, which later on resulted in her receiving an abundance of telephone calls at her place of business,“ said Col. Stephen McGrath, chief of the Cranston police.
Bruno told the I-Team to meet her at her store on Pocassett Avenue in Providence to get her side of the story.
When the I-Team walked in, she put on a costume mask and mocked the I-Team’s questions. (Watch the entire unedited interview.)
Bruno apparently isn’t taking the crime seriously, but Sisson said she is glad Cranston police did.
“I’m still a little bit nervous because I feel that someone who would go to that extreme—go to a library three or four times a week to do something like this—and to go to so many sites and to torture me, the way that she did, because it is torture,“ Sisson said.
Despite the theatrics on the part of Bruno, the I-Team tried to get her side of the story.
A co-worker later called NBC 10 and said Bruno is witty and “a little out there.“
Bruno is charged with cyberstalking and harassing.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time! Since there are usually two sides to every story, I wonder what Sisson did to get all of this started. Also, it doesn’t make sense that after working with Bruno at another job and finding her difficult, Sisson went to her for costume services. If they had a contract and Sisson tried to cancel the Bob the Builder order she shouldn’t have revceived her deposit back, if that’s what the contract stated.
I find it hard to believe that Sisson just happened to know Bruno was at the library and alerted the police who just happened to be standing behind Bruno as she allegedly committed the act.
Best part of this is Bruno making the reporter look like a complete fool. Good job! Nice to see a sensationalist local news station and “investigative reporter” trying to hash up hard news get what they deserve. You were owned by the Easter Bunny.
However, if the criminal charges stick, Bruno will probably end up on the hook for a civil lawsuit too and monetary damages so I hope she gets a good attorney. Somebunny is going to need one!
Ok, but no one against “the Costume lady” has mentioned “The Absolute Fun Center”
Franklyn:
“I saw the video on turn to 10. I am shocked that she is 59. I thought she was between 38-40 years old. “ WTF does this have to do with the price of APPLES?
Does anyone else see a trend about all the people on her side? They all mention her store name…which is what her plan was. I truly believe that all these people are the witch herself! If not…there is also a trend that they all sound a little crazy…They may have special “friend & family” prices at a mental hospital…maybe you all can go together! SHE STALKED A PERSON! SHE WENT TO A LIBRARY…OUT OF HER WAY to HARRASS SOMEONE! SHE IS CRAZY! No one is mentioning her body, her sexual preference or whatever it is you are talking about here! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW CRAZY SHE IS! Why don’t you go rent a mini-van and load them all in and go!
I saw the video on turn to 10. I am shocked that she is 59. I thought she was between 38-40 years old. If you haven’t seen her lately, she looks incredible. I want to know her secret. She has the body of a 30 year old. I have been a customer at Bruna costumes since my kids were small.I use to buy her puppets. Now I have 2 in middle school and 1 in high school. My kids still go there for costumes.They are always in school plays and doing historical projects and she always comes through with a costume for them. . I don’t know her personally but she has always treated me with kindness.She is always upbeat and happy and makes us all feel welcome. Her personal life or sexual preference is not anyones concern. There are two sides to every story.
I’m taking her side
To NotNeeded:
I think the 3 cheerleaders are either the Psycho herself or some of her friends….If you notice two were made last night within minutes of each other and then one this morning…It probably got too late for her last night to come up with another name for the WJAR website. She is just a PATHETIC P.O.S! It’s all good though…What goes around…comes around and she will get hers some day!! Let’s just sit back and watch!
“this girl is my hero” Jollie….Your just as crazy as her! This woman stalked another woman and made her life a living he LL. I guess because it wasn’t you…it’s okay. She has some serious issues that need to be addressed by a mental health professional….Maybe you can take her!
This video is hilarious. This lady belongs in hollywood. I have never heard of Bruna costumes until the video. I drove down from Boston to buy one of the policeman masks, but she was all sold out.
Genius…Great way to promote her business. We all need a good laugh and she made my day.
I saw Bruna costumes on the news last night and laughed my butt off. I went there for the first time today and this is by far the coolest shop ever.
I go to Brown and it is the talk of the town. Great video!!!!
I could not believe my eyes. This is the funnest video I have ever seen and this girl is my hero.
It is already on you tube.
She gots lots of publicity.
Kudos to Bruna
for making jim taracante look like a fool.
non of the above.
Advertisement