City man arrested on weapons charges following scare at Harris Public Library
WOONSOCKET — A man was arrested on weapons charges after he was seen gripping the handle of a holstered firearm as he walked into Woonsocket Harris Public Library Wednesday.
Derick Alan Tellier, 37, of 314 Fourth Ave., was arrested on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit; carrying a firearm after a conviction for a crime of violence; and disorderly conduct.
The weapon turned out to be a BB-gun that resembled a more powerful handgun. At about 10:26 a.m., Tellier walked into the library openly carrying the weapon in a nylon holster resting on his hip.
“The black shirt Derick was wearing was tucked behind the handgun and no portion of the firearm was concealed,” Officer Michael Velino said in a report.
At least a half-dozen police officers responded to 303 Clinton St. library after an individual in the parking lot reported seeing Tellier walk into the building with the gun on his hip. The eyewitness told police he believed Tellier was preparing to fire the weapon because his hand was on the grip, according to a police report.
About 40 seconds after Tellier walked into the library, he exited the building and lit up a cigarette in the parking lot, police said. He was arrested moments later.
Although police said it did not appear as if Tellier had been drinking, they called his demeanor “lethargic” and described him as as “unable to focus and to keep his attention.”
Tellier was already the target of an active warrant when he was taken into custody. Police say he will also be charged with misdemeanor domestic assault stemming from an incident on Jan. 2.
According to the judiciary’s web site, Tellier has a criminal record that dates back to 2004 and includes prior arrests for assault and weapons offenses. He pleaded no contest to firing in a compact area in April 2014 and was released on probation.