Former North Providence town employee arrested for alleged harassment of Mayor Lombardi

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police arrested a former North Providence town employee Tuesday for allegedly harassing town mayor Charles Lombardi.

Darren A. Barnes, 54, of North Providence is charged with stalking, vandalism/malicious damage to property and two counts of conspiracy.

The investigation into this matter began in March of 2023 when Lombardi reported that someone was harassing him and damaging his car while it was parked at his home.

Lombardi found roofing nails scattered in his driveway on several occasions between February of 2023 and April of 2024.

The Rhode Island State Police investigation determined that Barnes was involved.

He had worked as a custodian in the police department but was fired by Lombardi in 2020.

Barnes was arraigned in Third Division District Court and released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

He was assigned a no contact order by police and has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for Aug. 14.