Police: Providence woman faces firearms charge after being found with loaded weapon

Police: Providence woman faces firearms charge after being found with loaded weapon


PROVIDENCE — A 24-year-old woman is charged with carrying a pistol without a license after the police say they stopped her early Saturday in South Providence.

Officers stopped a Hyundai SUV at about 4 a.m. Saturday after it failed to come to a full stop while turning onto Gallup Street, Cmdr. Thomas Verdi said. They said they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the SUV as they approached.

The driver identified herself as Ivelisse Matos, of Providence, but could not produce a driver’s license. The police said she became nervous and gripped a black handbag after she was asked to exit the vehicle.

An officer felt a “heavy weighted object consistent with a firearm” inside the handbag during a frisk and saw a loaded Taurus 9mm inside, Verdi said.

The police charged Matos with carrying a pistol without a license, Verdi said. She was expected to appear before a bail commissioner Saturday.