Pedro Torres

By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

A man wanted for a triple-homicide in Puerto Rico as well as outstanding firearms charges in Providence is ordered held without bail in Massachusetts.

Pedro Torres, 36, was captured by state and local police and U.S. Marshals Thursday in an apartment in Fall River, after eluding capture last month in Providence.

Police in Providence said he was wanted for a triple-homicide in Puerto Rico, but in court in Fall River Friday, his attorney cast doubt on whether he was released by officials on the island, a U.S. territory.

“Mr. Torres is seen walking on a street in Providence in broad daylight, which I would suggest indicates that he’s an individual who is not afraid to be captured, who is not someone who is not a triple murder suspect who is on the loose and trying to evade justice,” attorney James Hanley told Judge Deborah Dunn in Fall River District Court.

Judge Dunn instructed her clerk to clarify whether charges are pending against Torres in Puerto Rico, and ordered him held without bail on both fugitive from justice and firearms charges in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She set a dangerousness hearing for Torres September 8.

Fall River police Friday released photographs of two handguns recovered in a locked box inside the 116 Lonsdale Street apartment where Torres was taken into custody on Thursday.

His attorney, James Hanley questioned whether the weapons were properly seized. He said Torres was arrested on the basis of a ‘body warrant’, and not a ‘search warrant’ that would have allowed for a search of the premises.