Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announces the arrest of a 17-year old juvenile male for the murder of a local man found deceased in the State of Massachusetts on July 18, 2017.

According to a press release, on July 18, 2017, at approximately 3:00am, a patrol officer from the Attleboro (MA) Police Department on routine patrol came upon a deceased male along the wood line adjacent to Prescott Street.  The body was smoldering as it appeared it had been set on fire and self-extinguished.  A preliminary examination of the victim revealed the victim had also been shot. Based on the location and condition of the decedent, Investigators from the Attleboro Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Bristol County Detective Unit initiated a homicide investigation. 

Massachusetts investigators positively identified the victim as Valdez LOISEAU, age 24.  Massachusetts investigators conducted inquiries through law enforcement databases and learned that LOISEAU may have resided at 15 Edgewood Avenue in the City of Cranston.  On the afternoon of July 18, 2017, Massachusetts investigators requested assistance from the Cranston Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police in responding to 15 Edgewood Avenue in an effort to further the investigation.  While speaking with individuals at the residence, investigators learned that LOISEAU resided there with his girlfriend, identified as Melonie PEREZ, age 35, and her 17 year old son. It was also learned that LOISEAU was last seen at the residence the night before his body was discovered (July 17) and that he had allegedly been involved in a physical altercation with Ms. PEREZ.  Ms. PEREZ and her son agreed to voluntarily come to Cranston Police Department Headquarters to be interviewed. While inside the residence, investigators observed a semi-automatic handgun and blood on the bottom of Ms. PEREZ’s shoes. Based on these observations, investigators secured the residence and applied for a court-authorized search warrant.

During an interview with investigators, the 17 year old male made an admission that he had shot LOISEAU inside the residence with a handgun.  He further stated that he had shot LOISEAU as a result of an altercation that he alleged occurred between LOISEAU and his mother.  The 17 year old male stated that he and his mother then transported LOISEAU’s body to Attleboro where he placed it in a wooded area and set it on fire.

Members of the Cranston Police Department Bureau or Criminal Identification Unit, assisted by the Rhode Island State Police Forensic Services Unit processed the scene and recovered two handguns, as well as other items of possible evidentiary value.

The below is a list of individuals and the charges that have been charged:

17 year old male from the City of Cranston

·         Murder (1^st degree)

·         Use of a Firearm while Committing a Crime of Violence

·         Compounding or Concealing a Felony

Subject will be remanded to the Rhode Island Training School

Melonie Perez , age 35, of 15 Edgewood Avenue

·         Compounding or Concealing a Felony

·         Report of Crimes to Law Enforcement Officials

·         Vandalism

Arraigned this afternoon in 3^rd District Court and released on $10,000 personal recognizance

Samantha Rastella, age 18, of 152 Laurens Street, Cranston, RI

·         Compounding or Concealing a Felony

·         Report of Crimes to Law Enforcement Officials

Arraigned this afternoon in 3^rd District Court and released on personal recognizance

17 year old male from the City of Cranston

·         Possession of Ammunition by a Minor

Released to a parent to be petitioned to the Rhode Island Family Court

Colonel Winquist stated, “I want to thank and commend the investigators and prosecutors from multiple agencies from Rhode Island and Massachusetts who worked closely with our department on this investigation, to include the Massachusetts State Police (Bristol County Detective Unit), Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, Attleboro (MA) Police Department, Rhode Island State Police and the Massachusetts (Bristol County) District Attorney’s Office.  This cooperative, multi-state effort led to the swift apprehension of the person believed to be responsible for a homicide in our city, as well as individuals who are alleged to have attempted to conceal the crime by attempting to hide evidence and transported the victim’s body to the State of Massachusetts.”