Carlos Cintron

Courtesy of EPPD

A special meeting of the East Providence City Council, a show-cause hearing scheduled for Thursday night, Feb. 1, on the operations license for the Rumford Motor Inn located on Newport Avenue in Rumford, was canceled after the proprietors gained a continuance on a previously granted restraining order issued in Superior Court.

Superior Court Judge Christopher Smith allowed the continuance during session earlier the same day, February 1.

According to the attorney representing the Council, Meg Bellamy, who was in Superior Court for the proceedings: "(The) City Council may not take any action with respect to the Motel's license. Therefore, tonight's show cause hearing cannot go forward.

"The Motel's attorney advised that he and his clients will not be in attendance tonight based on the ruling. Per Judge Smith's instructions, we will not be back in court on the matter until March 8th."

Added City Council president and At-Large member Bob Rodericks, "Status Quo until then."

Status quo means the controversial business can continue to operate under its current license. The Council signaled its displeasure with the Inn back in late November of last year, when the body voted to authorize the office of City Solicitor Michael Marcello to expedite the process to conduct the aforementioned "show-cause" hearing.

At that time, the Council sought the input from the East Providence Police Department. Chief Christopher Francesconi and Captain Michael Rapoza, the EPPD's Services Division Commander/Public Information Officer, testified about law enforcement's interactions with the owners and guests of the Inn.

Last fall, among other things, Francesconi noted the Rumford Motor Inn was one of the places the suspect in a string of area thefts had stayed while conducting the robberies. Rapoza provided some relevant statistics like over the last decade the EPPD has responded to nearly 2,220 calls to the Rumford Motor Inn led to over 200 arrests. In addition, he stated known gang members and violent offenders have been found at the Inn by responding officers over the years.

The owners of the Inn originally gained a restraining order to halt the show-cause hearing some two weeks ago when it was included on the Council's January 23 meeting agenda.

Coincidentally, the same evening, EPPD responded to what Rapoza termed a " 911 hang-up call." Upon arrival, officers encountered a male, later identified as Carlos Cintron, 36 and of Providence, attempting to "flee out a second-story window." The report noted Cintron broke the screen and window and made it to an adjacent roof where it took numerous officers to bring him into custody.

Rapoza described the situation as "extremely dangerous and placed our officers in great danger as the suspect was fighting and attempting to jump off the roof." Body cameras worn by law enforcement shows an apparently naken and disoriented Cintron struggling and being argumentative with responding officers.

Once apprehended, Cintron was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. At this time, it appears Cintron is under the influence of drugs or other substances. Rapoza said evidence inside the room also suggests illicit narcotic activity was taking place just prior to the arrival of police.

Cintron faces the following charges:

• Possession of Schedule I-V (Crack Cocaine)
• Possession of Schedule I-V (Xanax)
• Resisting Legal or Illegal Arrest
• Disorderly Conduct
• Obstructing Officer in Execution of Duty