Central Falls Man Heading To Prison In Armed Robbery Case

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Central Falls man is heading to the Adult Correctional Institutions after pleading no contest to committing an armed robbery with an illegal firearm.

In Providence Superior Court last week, Shaijohn Delgado, 22, pleaded nolo contendere to first-degree robbery, using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. Judge Robert D. Krause sentenced Delgado to 18 years at the ACI with 8 years to serve and the balance suspended with probation, according to a news release from the Office of R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

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Prosecutors say in the early hours of January 26, 2020, Delgado confronted a man at gunpoint near Illinois Street and robbed him of his wallet. The victim, who had been walking home to his apartment, quickly alerted police. Officers arrested Delgado nearby. Investigators recovered a .357 Magnum revolver from a trash can, and say Delgado ditched the gun during his flight from the crime scene. The victim’s wallet, which contained $70 in cash, was recovered from Delgado during his arrest.

Police say Delgado is not licensed to carry and was prohibited from possessing a gun due to a 2019 felony conviction for possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

“This case is another example of how the easy accessibility of illegal firearms places everyday Rhode Islanders in significant danger,” said Neronha in a statement. “The defendant’s willingness to threaten someone at the point of a gun for an amount of money he had to know was minimal is sobering.”

The Attorney General said Delgado will “have to pay a significant price for that criminal misconduct, and deservedly so, despite his young age. There is a lesson here – if anyone is listening.”

Neronha thanked the Central Falls Police Department for their part in investigating the case. Colonel Anthony Roberson, the Central Falls Chief of Police, specifically thanked Sgt. Paul Savoie, Det. Jeff Araujo, Officer Kerry Craig, and Officer Yomaira Rodriguez.

“Without regard for their personal safety, officers responded to the scene and apprehended Delgado while seizing a .357 Magnum revolver nearby,” Roberson said. “Their swift actions took a threat to the community off the streets.”

Special Assistant Attorney Alison Bittl of the Office of the Attorney General prosecuted the case.