Providence man, 21, faces firearms charge after being found with loaded handgun

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PROVIDENCE — A 21-year-old man is facing a firearms charge after police allege they spotted him carrying a loaded handgun late Saturday.

Jarren Smith, of Providence, is being held on a charge of possessing a firearm without a license after his arrest.

The police say that Patrolmen Brendan McKenna and Alex Schneider noticed a group gathered in the parking lot near the basketball courts at Codding Court around 9:45 p.m. As the officers approached, Smith separated from the group and began walking away with his hands in his waistband, according to Providence police Cmdr. Thomas Verdi.

As Smith fled, Schneider moved to block his retreat with his cruiser, the police said. McKenna ordered Smith to put his hands up and a frisk found that Smith was carrying a Springfield XDM Elite with an extended magazine containing 17 rounds, Verdi said.

McKenna cuffed Smith and took him into custody. He is awaiting an appearance in state District Court.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence man faces firearms charge after being found with loaded gun