Felon arrested for possessing weapons and body armor

Posted: 8/6/2012 2:45:47 PM
Updated: 8/6/2012 3:53:14 PM

State Police arrested a convicted felon who had firearms and body armor in his possession in the early hours of Monday morning.

State Police stopped Antonio Limardo, 34 of Pawtucket, after they observed the vehicle he was operating, a white Dodge Magnum station wagon, parked with its lights off and heavily tinted windows. The police approached the vehicle and the operator advised troopers that he had pulled over to make a phone call. Police then observed what appeared to be body armor and a back pack on the rear passenger seat.

Limardo said he had the body armor for his own protection. After further investigation police recovers a 9MM handgun, a knife, and two canisters of pepper spray from the vehicle.

Police ran a check of Limardo’s criminal history and revealed that he had a previous charge of attempt to commit murder in the territory of Puerto Rico in 1997 and a conviction for a narcotics violation in Puerto Rico in 1997.

Limardo was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence, possession of body armor by a convicted felon, and possession of weapons other than firearms (knife). 

In the 2012 legislative session the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation to make it illegal for a person convicted of a felony crime of violence to purchase or possess body armor.