Man Arrested With Gun in Downtown Providence Was Previously Charged for Trafficking Firearms in Iowa
GoLocalProv News Team
Man Arrested With Gun in Downtown Providence Was Previously Charged for Trafficking Firearms in Iowa
Both men have prior records — including one who was arrested for trafficking stolen firearms in Iowa in 2021.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
About Incident
Shortly before 9:30 PM on Thursday, police said they saw a vehicle at the intersection of Dorrance and Westminster Streets parked illegally in a handicapped zone.
According to police, they recognized a man standing outside the passenger side window as Bryan Molina, age 21.
Police said they then saw the front seat passenger appear to hide something on the floor of the vehicle, at which time police said they recognized the driver as Alexander Febus, age 20.
Febus, who has multiple arrests in Rhode Island, had been arrested and charged with trafficking stolen firearms in 2021 — in Sioux City, Iowa.
Police say that the men told them they were selling a dog in the vehicle, but based on their actions and observing a black bag inside the vehicle, police said they detained both men.
According to police, a loaded weapon was found inside the bag, and Molina was found to have a large knife in his sweatpants.
Molina pled nolo to charges of possessing a prohibited weapon other than a firearm; he was given six months probation by Judge J. Patrick O’Neill on Friday.
Court records show Molina was a bail violator following a drug arrest in November.
Police say Febus is facing felony charges including possession of a weapon by a prohibited person; he is also facing violations due to prior arrests.