JPD Assists In Gang Arrests

The assisted the Central Falls Police Department in arresting four men described as dangerous Providence and Pawtucket street gang members in Johnston on June 7.

Central Falls Police Det. Capt. James Mendonca met with Johnston Police Lt. Frank J. Levesque to discuss apprehending Jonatas Pereira, who was wanted for an armed home invasion and felony assault and was considered armed and dangerous.

Levesque reported that Central Falls Police detectives had learned Pereira was repairing his car after-hours at Angelo’s Garage at 1707 Plainfield St.

Johnston and Central Falls officers set up surveillance at 1707 Plainfield St.

“During the initial surveillance, detectives from Central Falls Police were ‘made’ and subsequently units converged on the property,” according to Johnston Lt. Joseph Razza’s report.

The police arrested a man they found there, Steven Barone, on an outstanding warrant.

Mendonca then received information that Pereira was still on his way to Angelo’s Garage, so surveillance was reestablished, according to Razza’s report.

A silver Nissan arrived at about 1 a.m. with Pereira as a passenger. The four occupants of the car were ordered out of the car, and Pereira was taken into custody.

The driver, Jason C. Orange, 25, of 26 Harkness St., Providence, was arrested on a charge of possession of a scheduled substance (ecstasy). Passenger Samuel Kpanan, 20, of 174 Laurel Hill Ave., Providence, was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and two outstanding warrants. The third passenger, Vincent Wilcox, was arrested on a court warrant.

Mendonca said all four had been involved in gang activity in Providence and Pawtucket.