RI State Police: Operation 'Patched Out' Nets 50, Drugs

WOONSOCKET, RI – Nearly 50 people were arrested and more than 50 guns and loads of narcotics were seized Wednesday in what Rhode Island State Police called possibly the biggest takedown in their history. "Operation Patched Out" was a year-long probe into northwestern Rhode Island motorcycle gangs. The investigation ended in pre-dawn raids conducted by State Police, with assistance from more than 150 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.

No one was hurt, Col. Ann C. Assumpico, State Police superintendent, said. According to a press release, police used explosives, an armored truck, SWAT teams and a battering ram to gain entry to some buildings, which were described as "heavily fortified."

Police are still looking for more than a dozen additional suspects with arrest warrants for gun and drug offenses.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the state Attorney General's office also participated.

Police raided 29 addresses – 18 in Woonsocket; three in Burrillville; one in Chepachet, one in North Smithfield, one in North Providence, and one in Warwick; three in the neighboring Massachusetts towns of Blackstone, Bellingham, and Milford; and one in Charlton, Mass. Here is the list.

210 Central Street, Burrillville

KMC Garage, 481 Second Avenue, Woonsocket

Pagans MC CH, 91 Mason Street, Woonsocket

1 Lake Drive, Burrillville

131 Mason Street, Woonsocket (AMCO)

31 Sorrell Road, North Providence

156 Village Road Apt. 10, Woonsocket

527 Fairmount Street #2, Woonsocket

201 Arnold Street, Woonsocket

111 Pulaski Boulevard, Bellingham, MA

7 Old Mendon Road, Blackstone, MA

30 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA

484 Prospect Street, Woonsocket

56 Heroux Avenue, Woonsocket

119 East Harkness Road, N. Smithfield

362 2nd Avenue, Woonsocket

541 Pond Street, Woonsocket

56 Marshall Road, Woonsocket

308/310/314 Willow Street, Woonsocket

88 Fifth Avenue, Woonsocket

46 Reservoir Road, Burrillville

213 High Street, Woonsocket

192 Beacon Avenue, Woonsocket

196 West Street, Milford, MA

259 Sixth Avenue, Woonsocket

710 Providence Street, Woonsocket

50 Everson Drive, Chepachet, RI

556 Harris Avenue, Woonsocket

Parmalee, Poirier & Assoc. 469 Centerville Rd. #203, Warwick

According to Lt. Col. Joseph Philbin, the investigation started when state police learned motorcycle gangs were moving into Woonsocket, North Smithfield and Burrillville. Detectives focused on two gangs, The Pagans and Kryptmen. Their members were implicated in drug and gun trafficking, police allege, as well as other crimes.

"These local chapters are affiliated with some of the country’s most notorious biker gangs – most of which have a history of violent criminal activity including murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion and large-scale drug trafficking," Lt. Colonel Philbin said. Their brand of crime was coming here, as evidenced by turf fights between rival gangs in northern Rhode Island and "increasingly violent confrontations – including three shootings that were never reported to law enforcement." State police also say they stopped a murder, when they took one alleged gang member into custody near the intended victim's house.

Besides the drugs and gun trafficking and the gang violence, police uncovered other crimes, including the "sale of stolen ATVs, lawn tractors, snow blowers and other equipment; fraudulent mortgage and bank activity; and a host of other criminal acts," Lt. Colonel Philbin said. Police decided to move now due to "escalating tension and an increased risk of violence in recent weeks."

Related Story: Pagans Gang Leader Charged With 177 Felonies

Courtesy Photos: RI State Police

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