Cranston Man Charged with Carrying Stolen Gun

Three men were charged with possessing a stolen firearm and other crimes after they were caught with a stolen .38 Smith & Wesson revolver under a blanket in a car they were riding in on Sunday afternoon.

The Rhode Island State Police stopped the car at 3:37 p.m. on Route 6 in Providence for an expired registration sticker and several seat belt violations, according to Col. Steven G. O’Donnell, superintendent of the state police.

The trooper who made the traffic stop smelled burning marijuana upon approaching the car. The driver, Christopher Huntly, 21, of 13 Frederick St., Providence, handed over a small amount of marijuana after being questioned by the trooper about the smell.

A check of the two other people in the car, identified as Julio Ariza, 22, of 125 Chatham St., Providence; and Shakur Davis, 20, of 57 Power Road, Cranston, showed both had outstanding District Court Warrants.

Once everyone was out of the car, the trooper found the loaded gun under a blanket on the rear driver’s side seat.

All three men are being charged with possession of a pistol without a permit and possession of a stolen firearm.

Huntley was also issued a civil violation for possession of marijuana.

Ariza is facing an additional charge of failure to appear for a technical violation hearing on the charge of larceny under $1,500.

For Davis, his warrant was for failing to appear for a pretrial hearing in connection with a charge of disorderly conduct.

All three are being held without bail before being transported to the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Each is due in court Tuesday for bail review hearings.

A conviction for carrying a pistol without a permit in Rhode Island can carry a $1,000 fine and up to five years in jail.

A convictions for possessing a stolen firearm can result in between three and 15 years in jail.