GLOCESTER/BURRILLVILLE – The Glocester man who died after an officer-involved shooting in Providence, following a police chase that began in Burrillville, had a long criminal history that included charges of animal cruelty related to the death of a Great Dane last year.
Michael Pinto, 40 was fatally shot by Providence Police outside Women & Infants Hospital on Friday, Sept. 15.
According to police, the incident began on Thursday, when Pinto evaded Glocester police on a chase into Smithfield, which was called off.
On Friday, Pinto was spotted in Burrillville and chased into Uxbridge, Mass. and then North Smithfield. He was later found by stuck in traffic near the Anchor Subaru dealership on Route 146 south and Burrillville officers attempted to box him in with their vehicles. As the officers approached, Pinto reportedly drive his vehicle at Burrillville Sgt. Henry Yakey, who fired two rounds into the car.
Officers say he continued to flee, driving erratically, and hitting an unmarked car. In Providence, he reportedly drove onto the sidewalk at the hospital and hit a nurse.
Providence officers shot at the vehicle and Pinto was hit. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he later died. His teenage daughter, who was also reportedly in the car at the time, was shot in the leg.
The state criminal database shows the deadly encounter was far from Pinto’s first run in with police. Pinto’s past charges include reckless driving, failure to stop in an accident, disorderly conduct, possession/manufacture of a controlled substance, felony assault, violation of a no contact order, possession of an illegal firearm, conspiracy, disorderly conduct, driving with a suspended license and eluding law enforcement with several high-speed pursuits.
Last year, he was charged with unnecessary cruelty and mistreatment of animals by Glocester police following the death of his Great Dane. At the time, he also faced his second offense for failure to provide adequate food, water or care for an animal.
The Great Dane had cancer supposedly, he tried to take care of it at home. It wouldn’t eat, it finally died at Gloscester animal shelter. He was a troubled man, I don’t make excuses for the path he took or choices he made.That being said being accused or charged for something doesn’t make you guilty. Believe me I know.
What happened to the poor daughter?
What about the nurse that was hit?
Wow, this police chase passed my home on Thursday and I saved video of it. I provided it to the Burrillville PD
I had wondered what became of the chase. Last I saw they were headed south on Rt 7.