Heavily Armed Cranston Man Hold Cops At Bay For 5 Hours Before Surrendering: Police

The man had made "several alarming comments on the Cranston Police Department's Facebook page," according to the cops.

By Joseph Hosey, Patch Staff

May 18, 2026 10:11 am EDT

Devan Garcia (Courtesy of the Cranston Police Department)

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston man armed to the teeth held the cops at bay for more than five hours before surrendering, police said.

Devan Garcia, 24, drew the attention of the law in March by making "several alarming comments on the Cranston Police Department's Facebook page regarding two upcoming department events, including the Department's annual memorial ceremony honoring fallen and deceased officers and the Spring Festival," the department said in a media release.

"In one comment, Garcia asked what officers would do 'if someone was armed and dangerous, willing to fully resist until death,'" the release said.

"He also questioned how many people would attend the events and commented, 'Good to know, I'll be there," according to the release.

"Detectives also discovered that Garcia had posted videos and photographs on his personal social media accounts depicting himself with an AR-style rifle and loaded magazines," the release said. "In one caption, Garcia claimed to have 'better' body armor than the police. Other posts included statements such as 'this weapon is for war' and a message directed
at the Cranston Police Department reading, 'come and take it.' Another post showed a bottle of liquor and a cigar captioned, "call this one the last cig last drink.'"

Detectives determined Garcia had recently purchased several firearms from different Rhode Island gun stores, according to the release.

"Investigators also identified prior law enforcement contacts involving Garcia with other Rhode Island police agencies," the release said.

"In one incident, Garcia allegedly sent harassing text messages to an ex-girlfriend, stating he would come to her workplace and that a SWAT team would need to be called," according to the release. He also allegedly made threatening remarks indicating that if police officers came to his home,
they should 'talk to their wife and kids one last time.'"

On Wednesday, "detectives obtained a court-authorized exigent risk protection order and search warrant for Garcia's residence to seize all firearms in his possession," the release said.

That evening, members of the Cranston Police Department Patrol Division and Special Reaction Team established surveillance at Garcia's residence, waiting for him to leave the area so he could be safely detained prior to the execution of the search warrant," according to the release.

Early the next morning, Garcia left his Brandon Road home and drove onto Pontiac Avenue, per the release.
An officer operating a marked police cruiser activated the emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle," the release said.

"Garcia refused to stop, performed a U - turn, and drove directly toward an unmarked police vehicle with activated emergency lights, striking the vehicle head-on," according to the release. "Garcia then exited his vehicle and fled on foot,
jumping fences and temporarily eluding officers before returning to his residence."

Crisis negotiators established telephone contact with Garcia and his family members while officers secured the perimeter around the home, the release said, and the East Providence Police Department deployed its Bearcat armored vehicle, assisting in evacuating some of Garcia relatives from the home.

"Investigators learned Garcia had retreated into the basement with firearms," according to the release. "After more than five hours of negotiations, Garcia exited the residence and surrendered peacefully."

Garcia was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation, the release said.

A search of the house turned up a 9 mm pistol, a .380 pistol, camouflage AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, six .223-caliber 30-round magazines, multiple containers of assorted ammunition and a box containing assorted firearm parts, according to the release.

When he gets out of the hospital Garcia will be charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon, large capacity feeding devices prohibited, and reckless driving and eluding police, per the release.

"This incident highlights the importance of taking threatening behavior and concerning social media activity seriously and underscores the value of the state's Red Flag law to remove firearms from individuals who pose an imminent threat to themselves and the public," Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said in the release.