Hooded, Masked Man Arrested On Gun Charges: Providence Police

PROVIDENCE, RI — One hooded, masked man was arrested on gun charges and a second was arrested on a marijuana charge "following an investigation in the area of Academy Avenue and Kepler Street" last week, police said.

"Providence detectives learned that several individuals would be in that area and in possession of a firearm" on Sept. 10, the Providence Police Department said in a media release.

"Detectives from the Narcotics Division and members of the Violent Crimes Task Force subsequently located a black Honda Accord matching the description they had received on Kepler Street," the release said.

"Detectives observed that all three were wearing dark hooded sweatshirts with their hoods up and masks covering their faces," according to the release. "The men were also wearing gloves despite temperatures of approximately 80 degrees and humid conditions."

As detectives approached the car, they watched a passenger in the back, 28-year-old Andres Reyes, "lean behind the front passenger seat and appear to discard an unknown item onto the floor," the release said

The three men were "secured ... for officer safety," according to the release, and search of the car turned up a 9 mm pistol on the floorboard behind the front passenger seat, according to the release.

"Detectives also recovered approximately 83 grams of suspected marijuana, a digital scale and zip ties from inside the vehicle," the release said.

"The combination of the firearm, masks, gloves, hooded clothing and zip ties, particularly given the weather conditions, raised additional concerns for detectives about the occupants' potential intentions and whether the group may have been preparing to commit a violent crime," according to the release.

Reyes was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm after being convicted of a crime of violence and possession of a firearm without a license, the release said.

A second man, David Malave, 38, was arrested on a charge of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, according to the release.

The third man was "was interviewed and released without charges," the release said.

“This was more than simply a firearm recovered during a narcotics investigation,” Col. Oscar Perez, the chief of the Providence Police Department, said in the release.

“When detectives encounter individuals together in a vehicle, armed with a firearm and wearing masks and gloves in 80-degree weather, while also in possession of zip ties, they have to consider the possibility that something more serious may have been planned," Perez said. "Our detectives acted quickly to protect the public and prevent a potentially violent situation from escalating.”

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