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The Defense of POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced on Friday that a U.S. Army Air Force pilot from Rhode Island killed in World War II was located.
The agency said 2nd Lt. Robert J. Barrat, 20, of Woonsocket, was accounted for on April 30.
According to the organization, Barrat piloted a B-17G “Flying Fortress” bomber in 1945.
On Feb. 9,1945, witnesses reported seeing his aircraft collide with another aircraft during a bombing mission to Lutzkendorf, Germany.
The aircraft was then seen hitting the ground, killing eight of the 9 crew members onboard.
After the end of World War II, the American Graves Registrations Command began working to recover missing American personnel in Europe.
In 1947, members recovered eight sets of remains from marked burials in the Eisenberg Civilian Cemetery.
The remains were transferred to the Central Processing Point at Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium for analysis.
Members identified two sets of remains. The remaining six were identified as the collective remains of Barrat and five of his crew members.
The remains were then buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
In Oct. 1991, a German citizen reported finding the crash site and recovered debris from the aircraft, including two inscribed rings.
The debris was turned over to the U.S. Army Memorial Affairs Activity Europe in Landstuhl, Germany and then to the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii.
In 2024, the remains were re-examined for further analysis.
Scientists said they used anthropological analysis and mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify Barrat’s remains.
According to the University of Rhode Island, he attended Rhode Island State College (RISC) in Sept. 1941 with the class of 1945.
Barrat left college during his second year and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in Nov. 1942.
He was posthumously cited for Gallantry in Action and Bravery and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Barrat will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 27.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents have been charged after a report of a naked woman at a department store.
According to police, on Tuesday, at just before 7:30 p.m., the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a call from an employee of Target, located at 250 Fortune Boulevard in Milford, reporting an intoxicated and nude female inside the store. During the call, the employee stated the female had put her clothes back on and exited the store on foot, with blood visible on her clothing.
Upon arrival, officers began checking the area for the female before locating a red Subaru Forester occupied by a male operator and two female passengers, one of whom matched the suspect description provided by store employees, in the nearby vacant Best Buy parking lot.
Officers identified the occupants of the vehicle as Benjamin Mahler, 50, of Uxbridge; Elizabeth McCusker, 36, of Franklin; and Alisha Chmiel, 32, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
During the interaction, police officers discovered the vehicle and its occupants possessed crack cocaine and fentanyl.
Alisha Chmiel was charged with Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) Obstruction of Justice, and Five Active Warrants for Arrest. She is being held on $1,000 cash bail.
Benjamin Mahler was charged with Possession of a Class B Substance (Crack Cocaine) and was released on personal recognizance.
Elizabeth McCusker was charged with Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) and Disturbing the Peace. She was issued a summons and has not yet been arraigned.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — Heading into Saturday, Rhode Island needed three points to have a fighting chance at advancing to the USL Cup knockout stage.
Unfortunately, they only got two.
After the game finished tied after 90 minutes, goalkeeper Koke Vegas sealed the extra point for the Ocean State club with the game-winning kick in penalty kicks.
With the result, Rhode Island was eliminated from the USL Cup after finishing third in Group 5.
“I knew that we didn’t have any chance to to go to the next round,” Vegas said. “But for me it was very important, saying everybody happy home.”
RIFC return home next Saturday for the third edition of “El Clamico” this season when they host Hartford Athletic.
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WARWICK, RI — RI State Police Warwick arrests in the area July 4 – 11 in the RI Trooper Log included charges for DUI and threatening public officials.
Here are the basics on those RI State Police RI Trooper Log Warwick arrests:
Erratic Driver Reports, DUI On Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 10:03 p.m., troopers arrested Adrian King, 58, 78 Potters Avenue, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs – B.A.C .15 or Greater – Second Offense (Phase I: 0.292, Phase II: 0.272). This arrest was the result of multiple calls to the Barracks reporting an erratic operator, and Troopers locating the vehicle on East Avenue in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a notice to appear in Third District Court.
Stolen Vehicle On July 5 members of the Auto Theft Task Force arrested David O’Donnell, age 37, of 112 Harrington Ave., Warwick, Rhode Island, for 1) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 2) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 3) Conspiracy to Possess a Stolen Motor Vehicle; 4) Conspiracy to Commit a Crime Out of State.
O’Donnell was transported to the Wickford Barracks where he was processed then turned over to the Adult Correctional Institution Intake Center pending arraignment at Second Division District Court.
Threatening Public Official On Wednesday, July 8, at 9:27 p.m., troopers arrested Christopher Brum, 27, of 43 Junction St., Warwick, Rhode Island, on an Affidavit and Arrest Warrant for 1.) Threats to Public Officials and 2.) Disorderly Conduct originating out of the Rhode Island State Police Scituate Barracks.
This arrest was the result of a barracks investigation by Trooper Downing and Troopers locating Brum at his residence. Brum was processed at Rhode Island State Police Headquarters and held overnight pending arraignment at the Third Division District Court.
Driving without license On Friday, July 10 at 1:30 a.m., troopers arrested Victor Perez Escobar, 37 of 83 Judith Road, Newton, Massachusetts for 1.) Driving after Denial/Revocation/ Suspension – Certain Violations – First Offense. One of several Warwick arrests, this arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Route 95 in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks where he was processed and held overnight pending morning arraignment at Third District Court where he will be presented as a bail violator.
DUI, Centerville Road stop At 2:16 a.m. July 11, troopers arrested Calvin Hebert, 23, of 211 John Potter Road, West Greenwich, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Liquor – BAC Unknown – First Offense and 2.) Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test – First Offense.
The arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Centerville Road, in the City of Warwick. The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a future Third Division District Court date.
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