Four men face firearms charges after weekend arrests in Providence
PROVIDENCE — Four men are facing firearms charges after a series of arrests in Providence this weekend.
The police charged Ary Matos, 19, of Franklin, Massachusetts, with possessing a ghost gun and possessing a firearm without a license after the officers say they spotted him at the wheel of a Dodge Durango at about 3 a.m. Saturday on Ocean Street in the city’s south side with three men loitering around it, according to Cmdr. Thomas A. Verdi.
As officers approached, Matos moved to step out of the SUV while gripping his waistband, according to the police. At the same time, a passenger jumped out and fled on foot, prompting officers to handcuff Matos.
More: Burrillville crypto-currency investor found with hundreds of guns
More: Judge calls Burrillville man's gun collection mind-boggling, to decide on bail
An officer searching Matos found on him a Polymer80 9mm ghost gun loaded with one live round in the chamber and a loaded magazine containing 13 live rounds, Verdi said.
Hours earlier, in another arrest that authorities said netted a firearm, officers observed a black Mercedes Benz obstructing a driveway at 20 Corinth St.
The driver, Deluis Moreau, 33, of Connecticut, told the police that he was waiting for his girlfriend outside Club Levels.
Officers alleged that they questioned Moreau after seeing an open alcohol container on the floor of the front passenger seat. Moreau stated that he had a concealed firearm on his right hip and had a permit for a concealed firearm in Connecticut.
Investigators found a black Sig Sauer P365 9mm loaded with 10 live rounds in the magazine in a holster underneath Matos’ shirt, according to Verdi.
Matos was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm without a license after a check determined that he had no such permit, Verdi said.
More: Man who jumped off Route 195 Washington Bridge to elude police left 14 guns in Lyft
At about 9:20 p.m. Friday, officers who were on Elmwood Avenue near Whitmarsh Street reported that they stopped a Hyundai Accent driven by Kadeem Davis, 31, of Pawtucket, after seeing the car head south on Elmwood at a high rate of speed, Verdi said.
When he was questioned, Davis told officers that he had a weapon that he purchased in Georgia that he legally owned, Verdi said.
The police found under a seat a Taurus G2c 9mm pistol with one round in the chamber and 10 rounds in the magazine, Verdi said. A check by investigators revealed that the gun was not licensed.
Davis was taken to headquarters and charged with carrying a pistol without a license, Verdi said.
An officer on patrol near Rhode Island Hospital due to complaints about thefts from cars questioned Benjamin Oliveira, 44, of Portsmouth, after the police said they spotted him looking inside unoccupied motor vehicles.
Oliveira consented to a search of his backpack, which revealed a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol with an obliterated serial number, Verdi said. A magazine containing 10 live rounds of .40-caliber ammunition also was discovered tucked in a sock.
Oliveira was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license and the alteration of a serial number.
Verdi credited the officers for their police work.
"These are dedicated, hardworking officers," he said, "proactively policing, committed to keeping Providence safe."
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Men face firearms charges after weekend arrests in Providence
