A man from Florida was arrested in Rhode Island last week after a shooting sparked a wild police chase. The chase led to a large cache of firearms and ammunition being scattered across the streets, reminiscent of a scene from an action movie.
Joshua Pavao, 43, of Kissimmee, Florida, faces numerous criminal charges, including 106 counts of possessing a large-capacity feeding device, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, firing in a compact area, eluding an officer in a high-speed chase, and several other offenses.
The incident began on the afternoon of December 1st when police received a report of shots fired at a residence in Providence. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered that a vehicle had been struck by gunfire, shattering its rear window. Investigators determined that this was the only bullet fired, but many more would follow.
Shortly after the 911 call, an officer spotted a black Nissan Armada with Florida plates, the vehicle believed to be involved in the shooting. The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver refused to stop and continued driving.
For the next few minutes, officers pursued the Armada through the streets of Providence. The chase was characterized by high speeds and reckless driving. During the pursuit, a long gun magazine fell from the vehicle.
The Armada eventually crashed into several vehicles at an intersection, rendering it inoperable. The driver, identified as Pavao, fled on foot but was apprehended by police in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant.
A search of the crash scene revealed numerous loaded long gun magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition scattered throughout the area. Additionally, three loaded Glock handguns, a pellet-style rifle, and a bulletproof vest were recovered from a suspicious backpack found in the vicinity.
"This was an extremely volatile situation involving a dangerous and unpredictable suspect who put so many of our residents and police officers in harm's way," said East Providence Police Chief Christopher Francesconi. "My officers and dispatchers handled this very serious situation with great professionalism and restraint."
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine Pavao's motive and intentions.
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