PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence Police arrested two men and recovered a firearm, more than 80 grams of suspected marijuana, and other items following an investigation in the area of Academy Avenue and Kepler Street on September 10, 2026.
Providence detectives learned that several individuals would be in that area and in possession of a firearm. Detectives from the Narcotics Division and members of the Violent Crimes Task Force subsequently located a black Honda Accord matching the description they had received on Kepler Street.
Three men were inside the vehicle. Detectives observed that all three were wearing dark hooded sweatshirts with their hoods up and masks covering their faces. The men were also wearing gloves despite temperatures of approximately 80 degrees and humid conditions.
As detectives approached the vehicle, they observed the rear passenger, identified as Andres Reyes, 28, lean behind the front passenger seat and appear to discard an unknown item onto the floor. Officers secured all three occupants for officer safety.
A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a 9mm firearm from the floorboard behind the front passenger seat, in the area where Reyes had been observed leaning. Detectives also recovered approximately 83 grams of suspected marijuana, a digital scale and zip ties from inside the vehicle.
The combination of the firearm, masks, gloves, hooded clothing and zip ties, particularly given the weather conditions, raised additional concerns for detectives about the occupants’ potential intentions and whether the group may have been preparing to commit a violent crime.
“This was more than simply a firearm recovered during a narcotics investigation,” said Colonel Oscar Perez, Chief of the Providence Police Department. “When detectives encounter individuals together in a vehicle, armed with a firearm and wearing masks and gloves in 80-degree weather, while also in possession of zip ties, they have to consider the possibility that something more serious may have been planned. Our detectives acted quickly to protect the public and prevent a potentially violent situation from escalating.”
Reyes was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a firearm after being convicted of a crime of violence
- Possession of a firearm without a license
David Malave, 38, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession with intent to deliver marijuana
The third occupant was interviewed and released without charges.
The firearm was submitted to the Providence Police Bureau of Criminal Identification for further processing. The suspected marijuana and digital scale were submitted to the Rhode Island State Toxicology Laboratory for further analysis.
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