Suspect in custody after heavy police presence for standoff on Atwells Avenue

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- A repeated offender is in custody after an hours long standoff Thursday afternoon in Providence.

Just before 4:30p.m., Providence Police confirming 35-year-old Timothy Desjardins peacefully surrendered after the barricaded situation left parts of Atwells Ave blocked off and many residents out of their homes for nearly two hours.

Around 2:30p.m., officers were doing a routine patrol in Federal Hill when they spotted Desjardins carrying a concealed weapon. Police say they recognized him from previous encounters.

Desjardins was out on bail for a charge involving a road rage confrontation in a Walgreens parking lot on Atwells Avenue back in September.

Police say that’s when they approached him about the weapon, just before he pulled the gun out and waved it in front of the officers. The suspect then ran into a building on Atwells, beginning the barricaded situation.

ABC6 News crew on scene could see a dozen police cruisers, sections blocked off with crime scene tape, as well as Providence Fire and EMS there, as well as SWAT team.

Neighbors told ABC6 around 2:40 p.m. multiple officers told them they had to evacuate with their necessities without given a specific reason.

Desjardins is set to be arraigned Friday morning.