East Providence Man With 'Assault Rifle-Style Weapon' Also Had Coke: Cops

EAST PROVIDENCE — An East Providence man armed with "what appeared to be an assault-style rifle" turned out only be carrying an air gun, but he also had cocaine, police said.

Edmund Ciccone, 53, was spotted "openly displaying" the Umarex Steel Strike air gun on Waterman Avenue shortly and entering a Ford Mustang after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, the East Providence Police Department said in a media release.

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An officer "made contact" with Ciccone and "immediately saw a black assault rifle-style weapon on the front passenger seat with a magazine inserted," according to the release.

The officer "ordered Ciccone to place the vehicle in park, keep his hands visible and exit the vehicle," the release said. Instead, Ciccone reached toward the weapon, prompting (the officer) to draw his department-issued firearm."

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Three more officers "rushed in to assist" the first officer, who "reached into the vehicle and secured the weapon before handing it to another officer," according to the release.

"During an ensuing investigation, officers determined the weapon was an Umarex Steel Strike air gun," the release said. "While searching Ciccone, officers recovered a clear plastic container holding a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine from his right front pants pocket. Officers also recovered a pocketknife. A spring-loaded baton was located inside the vehicle’s driver-side door."

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Ciccone was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of weapons other than firearms prohibited.

"Our officers showed tremendous restraint during this incident," East Providence Police Chief Michael J. Rapoza said in the release.

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"The peaceful resolution of this situation highlights the high level of professionalism displayed by our officers on a daily basis," Rapoza said. "Our officers acted in accordance with their training, and thanks to their split-second decision-making, the situation ended peacefully and no shots were fired."

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