Contact: Captain Ernest C. Quarry, Jr., District "A" Commander, Telephone: (401) 444-1009
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent, of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of Public Safety, announces that during the early morning hours of Monday, August 6, 2012, Troopers assigned to the Lincoln Woods Barracks were on patrol on East Avenue in the City of Pawtucket when they observed a white Dodge Magnum station wagon bearing a Rhode Island passenger registration, parked with its lights off, just north of Dunkin Donuts. When Troopers passed the vehicle, they observed that the vehicle's windows were heavily tinted. Troopers activated emergency lights and siren and stopped the vehicle on Webster Street, just north of Broadway.
Upon making contact with the operator, he advised the troopers that he was pulled over because he was talking on his cell phone. As the operator was reaching for his license, the Trooper observed on the rear passenger seat, what appeared to be body armor. A black back pack was also on the seat near the body armor. The back pack was opened at the top, and what appeared to be black handled items were protruding from the top of it. The operator then produced a Rhode Island Driver's License identifying him as Antonio E. Limardo, age 34, of 42 Webster Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The operator could not produce a valid vehicle registration. The operator was asked about the body armor that was on the vehicle's back seat, and he stated that he wore the body armor for his own protection. Further investigation resulted in the Troopers seizing a 9MM handgun as well as two canisters of pepper spray along with a knife.
A check of the operator's criminal history revealed that Antonio Limardo had a previous charge of Attempt to Commit Murder in the Territory of Puerto Rico from 1997 and a previous conviction for a narcotics violation in San Juan, Puerto Rico, also in 1997. A check of the vehicle the subject was operating was negative when checked through NCIC and local files.
Antonio Limardo was charged with Possession of a Firearm without a License, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Crime of Violence, Possession of Body Armor by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of Weapons Other than Firearms (Knife). He was held overnight at the Lincoln Woods Barracks pending arraignment at Sixth Division District Court. He was also issued a summons for Unlawful Installation of Sunscreen Material and Operation of Motor Vehicle without Evidence of Registration.
It should be noted that during the 2012 legislative session the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation preventing anyone who has been convicted of a felony that is a crime of violence to purchase or possess body armor. The passage of this legislation will continue to assist Law Enforcement in the arena of Public Safety.
Colonel O'Donnell had great praise for both the House and Senate, stating, "Without question, these Troopers prevented some form of violence. I want to commend Governor Lincoln Chafee, Representatives Lally and O'Neill as well as Senator McCaffrey and their colleagues in the General Assembly for the passage of this bill during the 2012 session. Prior to this year, it was not a crime for a convicted felon to possess or purchase body armor. The passage of this legislation provides the law enforcement community with the necessary tools to arrest these violent offenders."