Police: 2 with gang ties charged in drive-by attempt

Two suspected gang members have been arrested in connection with an attempted drive-by shooting earlier this month, according to Cranston police.

Davon McMahon, 19, of Providence, and Jorge Velazquez, 18, also of Providence, are both charged with assault with intent to commit a felony, use of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, conspiracy and three counts of vandalism or malicious injury to property.

Police say in the early morning hours of May 11, officers responded to a Roland Avenue home in Cranston after receiving a 911 call reporting an attempted shooting and vandalism to a dwelling. An investigation found several vehicles in the driveway of the residence had been vandalized and a brick had been thrown through a front window.

A short time later, police say a male occupant of the home went outside to investigate, at which point the two suspects approached in a vehicle. One of the suspects then allegedly produced a handgun, pointed it at the man and attempted to fire several times, although the weapon did not go off. The vehicle then fled the scene.

According to police, both suspects “are known to law enforcement to be affiliated with a Providence-based gang,” and Cranston officers have previously responded to the Roland Avenue address for gang-related incidents.

The investigation into the incident was conducted by Cranston and Providence police and members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Cranston police detective bureau at 401-477-5143. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at www.cranstonpoliceri.com.

Johnston man held on

drug, weapons charges

A Johnston man is facing drug and weapons charges after being arrested as part of a task force investigation into the distribution of child pornography over the Internet.

Vincent DErrico, 54, of 6 Fox Meadow Road, is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation and possession of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, according to Rhode Island State Police. He was arraigned in Third Division District Court and ordered held without bail at the ACI pending a bail review hearing scheduled for May 29.

Police say the arrest was made as a result of an undercover investigative operation initiated by members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force into the online sharing of images of child pornography.

During that operation, police say, the Internet connection at the Fox Meadow Road home was identified as having been used to download such images. A court-ordered search warrant was subsequently executed, resulting in the seizure of digital media that is being forensically analyzed.

During the search, police say they found a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation. DErrico identified himself as a medical marijuana patient cardholder but was found to be in possession of amounts that exceed his medicinal allotment as well as numerous firearms, according to police.

In addition to the digital media, police say they seized 25 mature marijuana plants, nine ounces of usable marijuana, a digital scale, marijuana packaging equipment, 15 assorted firearms – including three shotguns, 10 rifles and two shotguns – and $16,200 in cash from the home.

The State Police Computer Crimes Unit and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force were also involved in the operation, according to police.

– Compiled by Daniel Kittredge