fb-pixel Skip to main content
CENTRAL FALLS

After body found last fall, some recall Central Falls’ ‘Sparkle City’ era

As police work to solve the mystery, some people remember the legacy of the Sheridan Street address where the body was found and the Sportsman’s Lounge once was, a hub for the growing Colombian community in the 1980s, and the unlikely epicenter of cocaine for all of New England.

Latest Crime Headlines

CENTRAL FALLS

After body found last fall, some recall Central Falls’ ‘Sparkle City’ era

As police work to solve the mystery, some people remember the legacy of the Sheridan Street address where the body was found and the Sportsman’s Lounge once was, a hub for the growing Colombian community in the 1980s, and the unlikely epicenter of cocaine for all of New England.
RI BUSINESS

Michael Mota, CEO of VirtualCons, is being sued by Harrah’s for $274,000

This is the latest lawsuit filed against Mota, a Rhode Island businessman and mob enthusiast who is being chased for money in multiple states by creditors, investors, and vendors.
INVESTIGATION

Mike Mota and the art of the Virtual Con

The secret behind this businessman’s success? Tireless networking, great timing — and some smoke and mirrors.
RI Crime Briefs

Rhode Island crime news: March 2022

Burrillville guns

More articles about the Burrillville man arrested with 200+ guns

Updates: NK Coach

What you need to know about North Kingstown High School Coach Aaron Thomas and the ‘fat test’ issue

RI COURTS
Fifth man is sentenced in gang rape of teenage girl in Providence
Providence detectives used a video on Facebook to help identify Malcom Baptista, 21, as one of eight men involved in sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a house party in 2019.

White supremacist propaganda activity surged in New England in 2022
New Hampshire saw the largest increase by percentage in hateful messages delivered through fliers, banners, and graffiti, according to a new assessment by the Anti-Defamation League.

More Rhode Island Crime Headlines

RI CRIME

UPS employee, twice convicted of drug trafficking, is charged again in a federal drug case

A United Parcel Service employee living in Central Falls and Pawtucket is charged again with drug trafficking — allegedly using the shipping service to have drugs delivered from Colombia.

RI POLICING

R.I. will finally get moving again on studying racial profiling

Although the state law mandating the collection and study of data on the race and ethnicity of motorists in traffic stops has expired, Rhode Island has continued to apply for and receive federal funding for such studies.

RI CRIME

3 sentenced to more than 2 years in prison for scamming older Rhode Islanders

The men from New York and New Jersey have been sent to prison for their roles in a so-called grandparent scam that cheated more than a dozen Rhode Island residents between the ages of 79 and 94 out of more than $300,000 combined, federal prosecutors said.

RI CRIME

Cumberland man with 665,000 fake Adderall pills sentenced to 10 years in federal prison

Dylan Rodas, 27, of Cumberland, pleaded guilty in September to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He was sentenced on Thursday.

RI CRIME

R.I. man charged in laundering of more than $35m in internet fraud schemes

Craig Clayton, 73, of Cranston has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of obstruction of justice.

Grief and questions linger after apparent murder-suicide in Andover

Those close to the Robinsons described a growing distance between themselves and the couple — a space that seemed to widen further during the pandemic.

RI NEWS

Owners of The Station nightclub finally discuss the deadly 2003 fire: ‘We certainly played a role. But the systems failed.’

After nearly 20 years of silence, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian are speaking out. ‘It’s not a redemption tour,” Jeffrey Derderian tells the Globe. “It’s about the truth”

RI NEWS

Father of youngest Station nightclub fire victim questions why owners are finally coming forward

“I don’t understand it. I don’t understand what the motive is,” said Dave Kane, whose 18-year-old son, Nick O’Neill, died in the fire. “I think it’s to whitewash their name and to diminish the reality of what they did.”