Providence Police Task Force apprehends two individuals in possession of illegal firearms

Providence, RI: On January 23rd at approximately 2026 hours, Providence Police Task
Force Investigators Brian Murphy and Robert Foley were patrolling in the Hillhurst
Avenue area when they observed a vehicle operating at a high rate of speed and
directed towards their police cruiser. As the vehicle continued driving towards
police, officers recognized two of the occupants of the vehicle and identified them
as Malick Santos and Alkhalil Sirleaf. The driver of the vehicle proceeded to
quickly veer to the side of the road, slamming on the breaks, and then operated the
vehicle in a reverse direction, finally coming to a stop in the middle of the
street. As police approached the vehicle they observed Sirleaf immediately place a
small silver object in between the passenger seat and center console.

Investigator Foley removed Sirleaf from the vehicle and seized a Smith & Wesson 38.
Santos fled on foot while officers attempted to detain him and Investigator Murphy
immediately pursued him on foot. The chase continued through Hauxhurst Street,
towards Pocasset Avenue where Investigator Murphy detained him. During the chase,
police observed Santos to throw a black and silver firearm under a red van.
Investigator David Impagliazzo responded to the scene to assist and Santos was
placed in a marked police cruiser for officer safety. Investigator Murphy then
seized a silver and black Smith & Wesson SD40 from underneath the van. The firearm
was later determined to be actively stolen out of Providence.

Santos and Sirleaf were transported to central station where Sirleaf confessed to
possessing the firearm.

Alkhalil Sirleaf, age 19 of Providence, was charged with One Count of Possession of
a Firearm without a License and One Count of Possession of Marijuana. Malick
Santos, age 19 of Providence, was charged with One Count of Possession of a Firearm
without a License and One Count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Both were held
for the next session of 6th District Court.

«This is an excellent arrest by the Providence Police, including the patrol units
who immediately jumped into action to assist the Task Force,» said Colonel Hugh T.
Clements, Jr. «We will continue to target individuals who are apt to engage in gun
violence within our community and work tirelessly to rid the streets of illegal
firearms.»