Man with lengthy criminal history in Mass., Rhode Island charged in murder of 38-year-old Otis Diggs

As a result of the investigative efforts of the Cumberland Police Detective Division and with the assistance of the RI State Police’s Violent Fugitive Task Force, the US Marshalls, and the Pawtucket, East Providence and Warwick Police Departments, the suspect in the murder of 38-year-old Otis Diggs this past Saturday afternoon was identified as 34-year-old Robert Perry.

Earlier today, Perry was located by the aforementioned partners and safely taken into custody in the City of Warwick. Perry has a lengthy criminal history in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

According to police, the victim was stabbed in the lower extremities and died as a result of those injuries. The incident stemmed from a physical altercation between the victim, Perry and another individual at the residence on Front Street. Police say that all parties involved with the incident are familiar with one another, and no one else was physically harmed. Additional criminal charges may be sought as the case continues to unfold.

“Again, I offer my condolences on behalf of the Cumberland Police Department to the family, friends, and loved ones of Otis Diggs. The collaborative and diligent efforts of our state, local and federal partners were remarkable and ultimately resulted in the apprehension of a truly violent and dangerous individual. As we now turn the case over to the Attorney General’s office for prosecution, we hope to see to Mr. Perry prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We hope that this small, but important step, helps those left behind by Mr. Diggs an opportunity to grieve and begin to heal. I also would like to reiterate my earlier comments whereby senseless violence like this has no place in our society, let alone a community like this one. We need to be better custodians of life.”