Woman with extensive criminal history, arrested in Attleboro shooting, attempted robbery

Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, reports the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting and attempted robbery at the Mobil gas station on Newport Avenue in South Attleboro, MA, on May 20.

Ashley Weaver, age 26, of 118 Comstock Ave., Providence, was arrested at approximately 2 p.m. during a motor vehicle stop on Hayward Street in Providence. During the arrest, she was found to be in possession of a 40-caliber pistol.

The arrest was the culmination of a joint investigation by the Attleboro Police Department Detective Division; detectives from the Mansfield, MA, Police Department; investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and the Boston Police Department’s Fugitive Unit.

Weaver is charged in connection with a shooting and attempted robbery at the Mobil gas station on May 20. A store employee said a suspect wearing a monkey mask and brandishing a gun had entered the store about 2:30 a.m. that day, asking for money. The clerk wrestled with the would-be robber and was shot in the abdomen, but he was able to unmask the suspect, who then fled.

Detectives from the Attleboro Police Department identified Weaver as the suspect and obtained a warrant for her arrest on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm, and assault and battery with a firearm.

Weaver, who has an extensive history of violent crimes, including armed robberies and assaults, also had multiple active warrants for her arrest from the Boston Police Department for robbery-related offenses in Boston.

Based on their investigation, investigators were able to track down Ms. Weaver in Providence, where she was arrested today by members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Weaver was charged with being a fugitive from justice from Massachusetts, based on a warrant issued by Attleboro Police, and illegal possession of a firearm. She also was charged resisting arrest, simple assault and disorderly conduct after allegedly struggling with arresting officers during the arrest.

She was held overnight, pending further court action.