VIDEO: Convicted Pedophile Gardner Arrested in Providence on Fraud Charges UPDATED

VIDEO: Convicted Pedophile Gardner Arrested in Providence on Fraud Charges UPDATED

Convicted pedophile Richard Gardner was arrested in Providence on Friday afternoon for "alleged fraudulent activity by Mr. Gardner when applying for a marriage certificate at Cranston City Hall."

The Cranston Police Department issued a statement shortly following the arrest. 

As GoLocal first reported earlier in the afternoon, a warrant had been issued earlier in the day for Gardner's arrest.  The video and photos of the arrest were taken by Reynaldo Almonte of Latino Public Radio. 

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Gardner's return to Rhode Island following his incarceration had sparked outrage in the community. 

"I believe that you have to give credit where credit is due to Mayor Fung and the Cranston Police Department for following this situation right on their border," said Providence mayoral candidate Dianne "Dee Dee" Witman. "Mayor Elorza has spent tens of thousands of dollars on details but again was not proactive in exploring every opportunity to deal with the situation." 

Statement by Cranston Police

This email is confirmation that at approximately 3:15 pm this afternoon, Cranston Police Detectives responded to 207 New York Avenue and with the assistance of the Providence Police Department placed Richard Gardner, age 52 under arrest on an affidavit and arrest warrant obtained by the Cranston Police Department. 

The warrant stemmed from an investigation conducted by Cranston Police Detectives into alleged fraudulent activity by Mr. Gardner when applying for a marriage certificate at Cranston City Hall. Gardner is being transported to Cranston Police Department Headquarters to be processed and arraigned. Further information will be provided at Cranston Police Headquarters.

Members of the media will be permitted to attend the arraignment which will be held by a bail commissioner in the Cranston Municipal Court at approximately 4:30 pm today.

This article was first published 11/2/18 4:10 PM