EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Police Department identified the driver who is alleged to have led area law enforcement on a chase after he and a group of others stole a sports utility vehicle that ended in city late last week.

Austin Pereira, 18, of 1588 Main St., Warwick, was arrested and charged with the following:
Possession of Stolen Vehicle
Reckless Driving or Eluding Police
Duty to Stop Accident Resulting
Obstructing Officer in Execution of Duty

According a report of Captain Michael J. Rapoza, EPPD Operations Division Commander/Public Information Officer, Pereira and three passengers are alleged to have stolen the vehicle from the Twin River Casino parking lot in Lincoln on Thursday, June 6.

Rhode Island State Police were among the first to take up pursuit. Pereira eventually made is way into East Providence where he attempted to drive vehicle through the the parking lot of the Mobil gas station at the intersection of Pawtucket and Warren Avenues before being stopped by an EPPD officer in a marked cruiser.

Rapoza said, the operator was also charged by Rhode Island State Police the same day of his arraignment. The passengers info and charges are still being investigated by detectives.

In another recent incident in city, Rapoza said an investigation into an altercation between a number of youth at Central Avenue Playground on Friday, May 31, remains ongoing, though not fruitful at the moment.

A fight between pre-teens at the park left one male with a minor leg wound after he was stabbed. The child, reportedly 12 years old, was taken to hospital for treatment for what was deemed by city public safety officials as non-life threatening injuries. It was later learned the fight was between rival groups from the city's two middle schools.

Rapoza said EPPD detectives "are getting close to zero cooperation from those involved and the parents." He added it was likely the matter would be closed out unless police are able to develop more information.