Providence’s Revolving Door of Gun Crimes: Suspects Arrested, Released, Then Arrested Again

Providence’s Revolving Door of Gun Crimes: Suspects Arrested, Released, Then Arrested Again

The City of Providence continues to see suspects arrested and charged with gun crimes, only to be released and arrested on new and even more serious gun charges.

On Thursday, Timothy Desjardins was arrested on Federal Hill following a standoff with police. 

Desjardins — who was armed — will be arraigned as a bail violator, as he was arrested last month for allegedly shooting a man in the Walgreens parking lot on Federal Hill. 

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Meanwhile, Providence police on Wednesday arrested another individual on weapons charges and resisting arrest — who has a lengthy record of gun-related crimes for which he was awaiting trial.  

The incidents come just a week after GoLocal reported that the man arrested in the deadly shooting at a Broad Street laundromat in October had previously been arrested -- and released -- following separate gun charges in 2020.

 

New Gun Charges — While Awaiting Trial on Prior Gun Charges 

One of the latest examples came on Wednesday night shortly before midnight, when police on patrol observed an individual walking near the Dodge Street basketball courts off of Broad Street — who they recognized as Emmanuel Narcisse. 

Narcisse was known to police as he had been arrested in October 2020 for a shooting at the G.I. Joe convenience store on Smith Hill. 

According to police, Narcisse was carrying a black bag — and when police went to approach him, he fled on foot. Police said that a pursuit ensued, at which time Narcisse discarded the black bag. 

When police caught Narcisse, he reportedly resisted arrest, getting into a physical altercation with an officer before he was ultimately detained. 

Police, upon retrieving the bag, reported that it contained a gun loaded with live rounds in the magazine. Police said that Narcisse did not have a license or permit to carry. 

 

Latest for Suspect 

Court records show that Narcisse was already facing multiple felony gun charges from prior incidents — including felony assault and/or battery; discharge of a weapon when committing a crime of violence; and carrying a pistol or revolver without a license — stemming from the G.I. Joe incident on October 1, 2020. 

The case was ultimately filed in Superior Court on July 26, 2021, with numerous court proceedings taking place in August and September. 

Bond was set for Narcisse on September 13, 2021 at $50,000 surety. Narcisse, who is being represented by court-appointed public defender Glenn Sparr, posted bail on October 1. 

Two pre-trial conferences took place in October with Associate Justice Kristen E. Rodgers presiding; Narcisse had been scheduled for another pre-trial conference for the 2020 charges on November 18. 

 

Other Charges

Court records show that Narcisse was also arrested on July 21, 2021 for possession of a Schedule 1 to V controlled substance — a felony charge — as well as for shoplifting — a misdemeanor. 

Documents also show Narcisse had been arrested by the Central Falls Police Department in December 2020 and charged with carrying a gun without a permit — as well as obstructing an officer from execution of duty. 

Attorney General Peter Neronha's office did not respond to request for comment on Thursday.