PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence Police Department said that a 43-year-old man was accused of impersonating a city official and attempted to extort residents for money.

Ariel Pichardo De Los Santos was charged with extortion and impersonation of a public officer.

Police alleged that De Los Santos approached a man working on his home and said that the property had multiple violations totaling $25,000.

De Los Santos then allegedly said that the violations could be “taken care of” if he was given $1,500 cash.

The incident was reported to police and after an investigation De Los Santos was arrested.

See Full Page