Barrington Police responded to the wooded area surrounding Prince’s Pond at about 8:45 on Wednesday morning, May 24 for a report of a suspicious condition.

Police received a call from a resident who noticed a person heading into the woods wearing camouflage and carrying a large bag. The resident believed the bag could have contained a rifle.

Barrington Police began searching the woods and also reached out to East Providence PD and requested assistance from their drone. East Providence responded and the drone began to scan the area.

Meanwhile, police were able to identify the subject's vehicle. They ran his license plate and were able to track down a phone number. An officer called the man, who emerged from the woods a short time later. 

Police spoke to the man and discovered he was from a nearby university and was conducting research on woodpeckers. Police said the bag contained bird-watching and bird-tagging equipment.