Man Accused of Robbing Bike-Riding Teen at Gunpoint Pleads Guilty

A 31-year-old Providence man who Cranston Police once identified as a “notorious Bloods gang member with ties to New Jersey” pleaded guilty last week in Providence County Superior Court for his role in three armed robberies in Providence and Cranston in 2013.

In exchange for his plea, Lovett was sentenced to 50 years with 24 to serve for three counts of first degree robbery, three counts of possession of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, two counts of conspiracy, one count of possessing a firearm without a license and one count of possession of a firearm after being convicted of a crime of violence.

Lovett and another man, identified as Joseph Figueroa, allegedly approached the teen on Sept. 27. The teenage male was approached by a pistol-carrying man, identified as Lovett, wearing dark clothing and a ski mask. Lovett then pulled the victim off his bike, punched him in the head and back, according to reports, and stole all of his personal property, including a backpack and cell phone.

Once police got the call, an officer responded and saw a green Toyota speeding on Cranston Street. The vehicle, which was driven by Figueroa, gave chase, but he eventually stopped a short time later and arrested without further incident.

Police found a fully loaded Smith and Wesson handgun back at the scene of the crime.

Lovett had fled, but thanks to a “lengthy and joint investigation” by Cranston Police detectives, Providence Police, and the Adult Correctional Institute’s Special Investigations Unit, police soon identified him as the prime suspect.

Lovett, a Bloods member, has a lengthy criminal career with convictions for robbery, weapons possession and delivery of narcotics in Rhode Island and New Jersey, police said.

Armed with a warrant, police took Lovett into custody at his house at 112 Eastwood Ave. in Providence with help from the Providence Police Department Robbery and Violent Crime Task Force.

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said in a release that had the case proceeded to trial, the state was prepared to prove that in September of 2013, Lovett and Figueroa, drove around Providence and Cranston late at night, targeting people at random for robbery. With his co-defendant Figueroa at the wheel, Lovett jumped out of a vehicle wearing a mask and black hooded sweatshirt, armed with a gun, and robbed a total of three individuals.

The investigation was led by Cranston Police Detective Lee Sohn and Providence Police Detective Robert Melragno. Assistant Attorney General Jay Sullivan prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.

Co-defendant Joseph Figueroa is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2015.