Fugitive arrested in Central Falls

A man wanted by Cranston police on multiple charges has been taken into custody in Central Falls.

Authorities announced the arrest of 34-year-old Rashard Littlejohn on Monday. He was found at 31 Moore St. in Central Falls, police said, and initially attempted to escape through a rear window of the apartment in which he was located. He was then arrested without incident on Earle Street.

Littlejohn is charged with two counts of domestic breaking and entering of a dwelling, two counts of domestic simple assault and battery, one count of domestic vandalism, two counts of domestic disorderly conduct, and four counts of violation of a no-contact order. The charges stem from four separate incidents that occurred Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 25, and Dec. 5, according to police.

Cranston police, Central Falls police, and the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force were involved in Littlejohn’s apprehension.

Gang associate sentenced

on drug, firearms charges;

murder case pending

A gang associate who pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges earlier this year has been sentenced to four years in federal prison, while a murder charge against him remains pending.

Antonio Fortes, 25, of Cranston – an associate of the YNIC street gang – was sentenced in U.S. District Court. He had pleaded guilty in September to counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Fortes was additionally ordered to serve three years of supervised release after the completion of the prison term, with the first six months on home confinement.

According to authorities, an investigation by ATF agents into Fortes’ drug-trafficking activities included controlled purchases of crack cocaine and repeated surveillance by law enforcement. The investigation culminated with the execution of a court authorized search of Fortes’ residence on March 24 of this year, which resulted in the seizure of numerous packets of heroin, crack cocaine and a loaded .45-caliber handgun.

Fortes still faces multiple charges for his alleged role in an Oct. 22, 2014, shooting in Providence that resulted in the death of Terry Robinson. He is charged with one count of murder, three counts of discharge of a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of carrying a firearm without a license, and one count of conspiracy.