WPD Aids Greater Providence Shootings Investigation, Arrests

WARWICK, RI — PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced arrests of three men charged with multiple felony counts from a joint investigation into multiple shooting incidents in the greater Providence area, including Warwick.

Daniel Barbosa, Miguel Paulino, and Andre Pedigo were arraigned on June 16, in Sixth Division District Court and are currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) following the investigation.

“These arrests are just the latest example of how our coordinated, proactive investigative work across multiple local, state, and federal investigative agencies is working to remove those who drive violence in the greater Providence area,” said Neronha. “The defendants here are alleged to be involved in multiple shooting incidents and one of them allegedly assaulted investigators during their attempt to take him into custody. I am grateful to the continued partnership of the multiple agencies directly involved in our Urban Violent Crime Initiative, and for the work of the Warwick Police Department and HSI in this case.”

Investigators from the Providence Police Department’s Intelligence Unit began an investigation with detectives assigned to the Attorney General’s Violent Crime Task Force into several shooting incidents in the greater Providence area involving members of local street gangs, according to court documents detailing the charges.

Following a shooting incident in Warwick on May 27, investigators allege that they were able to identify the defendants through video evidence and by positively matching bullet casings from three other shooting incidents that took place in Providence and Central Falls, Neronha’s office reported.

Following a shooting incident in Warwick on May 27, 2022, investigators allege that they were able to identify the defendants through video evidence and by positively matching bullet casings from three other shooting incidents that took place in Providence and Central Falls.

 Investigators linked one firearm to all four shooting incidents following analysis of bullet casings collected at the four crime scenes using a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) machine, which allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence.

Central Falls, Providence search warrants executed

On June 15, 2022, investigators simultaneously executed search warrants at several locations in Central Falls and Providence where they arrested the defendants and seized multiple firearms, ammunition, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and evidence of additional firearms.

At a residence on Beacon Street in Central Falls, investigators located a 2014 Dodge Ram that was linked to the May 27 shooting in Warwick. When the driver of the truck, Daniel Barbosa, began to exit the driveway investigators attempted to stop the vehicle. The defendant sought to elude investigators and repeatedly rammed his truck into a police vehicle positioned in front of the driveway to prevent his escape. He also attempted to strike officers who were standing in the driveway.

During the incident, investigators observed him leaning over to reach into the rear passenger compartment. Eventually the defendant opened the driver’s side door and investigators attempted to take him into custody. The defendant resisted attempts to place him into handcuffs, and following a brief struggle, investigators successfully applied handcuffs.

Providence seizure

At a residence on Rhodes Street in Providence, investigators seized a box containing paperwork for the purchase of a Ruger LCP2 semi-automatic handgun and a Springfield Hellcat semi-automatic handgun (not recovered); three 9 mm pistol magazines; a quantity of 9 mm ammunition; and drug paraphernalia.

“The combination of excellent police work and the use of technology results in bringing criminal charges against individuals that are causing gun violence in the Greater Providence area,” said Providence Commissioner of Public Safety Steven Paré. “This strategic effort with detectives from the region, Department of Corrections Officers, federal officers from ATF and prosecutors and investigators from the Attorney General’s Office should send a clear message to criminals that there will be severe consequences to their violent criminal behavior.”

Leading the investigation and prosecution of the case were Detective Omar Ospina of the Central Falls Police Department and Detective Matthew McGloin of the Providence Police Department, both deputized by the Office of the Attorney General; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; the Warwick Police Department; and Investigators Eric Yankee and William Dwyer and Assistant Attorney General Joseph J. McBurney of the Office of the Attorney General.

Daniel Barbosa (age 27)

Central Falls, R.I.

62-2022-05563

The defendant was arraigned on June 16, 2022, in Sixth Division District Court and charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, motor vehicle; possession of a pistol while committing a crime of violence; three counts of possession of a firearm after a conviction of a crime of violence; alteration of identification marks on a firearm; three counts of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl; possession with intent to deliver oxycodone; possession with intent to deliver marijuana; possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to deliver fentanyl; possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to deliver fentanyl and cocaine; possession of narcotics within 300 yards of a school zone; keeping a common nuisance; obstruction of a police officer; resisting arrest; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license; two counts of possession of cocaine; committing a crime of violence with a stolen firearm; possession of one ounce to one kilogram of cocaine; and possession of a pistol without a license.

At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on bail stemming from domestic violence and reckless driving charges, which are currently pending in Sixth Division District Court. The defendant is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI).

 

Miguel Paulino (age 27)

Providence, R.I

62-2022-05626

The defendant was arraigned on June 16, 2022, in Sixth Division District Court and charged with possession of firearm while possessing with intent to distribute oxycodone and possession with intent to deliver oxycodone.

At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on probation stemming from his conviction for carrying a pistol without a permit in 2018. The defendant is being held without bail at the ACI.

Andre Pedigo (age 22)

Central Falls, R.I.

62-2022-05624

The defendant was arraigned on June 16, 2022, in Sixth Division District Court and charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana.

At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on probation stemming from his conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2021. The defendant is being held without bail at the ACI.