Missing Developmentally Disabled Woman Found Safe After Extensive Search
Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announces that after an
exhaustive 70-hour investigation and search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, Ms.
Linda DaLomba, a developmentally disabled woman, has been found safe, and her caregiver has
been arrested.
Ms. DaLomba was reported missing by her caregiver, Ms. Roberta Gerard, on Wednesday,
March 19, at approximately 3:58 PM. Initially, Ms. Gerard informed investigators that she last
saw Ms. DaLomba inside the Burlington Coat Factory at 2:30 PM. However, after an extensive
review of surveillance footage and further questioning, Ms. Gerard admitted that she had
fabricated the story. She later stated that Ms. DaLomba went missing from the back of her
vehicle at 34-36 North Clarendon Street after she briefly entered her residence to heat food. Ms.
Gerard estimated that Ms. DaLomba was out of sight for approximately four minutes.
In response, Patrol and Detective Division members worked tirelessly, conducting interviews,
reviewing surveillance footage, and executing ground and aerial searches. Multiple law
enforcement agencies, including the FBI, State Police, and the Providence Police Department,
supported the search efforts.
The breakthrough in the case came at approximately 12:13 PM this afternoon when a resident on
Pond Street contacted the Cranston Police Dispatch Center after discovering Ms. DaLomba lying
inside the rear hatch area of his Honda Pilot SUV, which had been parked for several weeks. Ms.
DaLomba was conscious and alert and was immediately transported to Rhode Island Hospital for
evaluation. Preliminary findings suggest she had been inside the vehicle for an extended period.
Ms. Roberta Gerard, age 43, was taken into custody at approximately 1:54 PM and arraigned on
charges including Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of an Adult with Severe Impairment (a felony
Disclaimer: All individual(s) contained in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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offense), Obstruction of an Officer in the Execution of Duty, and False Report of a Crime. She
was released on $5000 surety bail and scheduled to appear for formal arraignment in the Third
District Court in Warwick tomorrow morning.
The investigation remains ongoing to determine how Ms. DaLomba ended up in the vehicle. The
location where Ms. DeLomba was found was a short distance from the nail salon Ms. Gerard
visited in the afternoon before reporting Ms. DaLomba was missing.
“We are grateful for the support from the community, especially from the caregiver network,
who assisted in our efforts and kept Ms. DaLomba in their thoughts and prayers,” said Colonel
Winquist. “I commend the dedicated officers and our law enforcement partners who worked
relentlessly to reunite Ms. DaLomba with her family and friends.”
On 3/23/2025, I was assisting CPD Patrol and Detectives with a crime scene at Pond Street just west of Station
Street (Refer to 25-19671-OF / 25-20711-OF). After standing by, and securing the scene, at approx 1350hrs ,
Major Patalano and Capt. McAteer advised me to respond to the area of 34 North Clarendon Street to conduct
surveillance in an attempt to locate Roberta Gerard DOB 12/05/81.
At approx. 1354hrs upon arrival of 34 North Clarendon Street, I observed the target vehicle (Toyota RAV 4)
parked on the street in front of 34 North Clarendon Street. A short time later, Major Patalano advised me to
attempt to locate Roberta Gerard DOB 12/ /81 and detain her. I awaited the arrival of Detective Imondi and
Officer Laquale before responding to the residence. At approx. 1356 hrs, Det. Imondi and Officer Laquale and I
made contact with the 1st floor residents who advised us that Gerard was at 45 Sinclair Avenue.
Det. Imondi , Officer Laquale and I responded to 45 Sinclair Avenue, in which Providence PD was also advised
to respond. Upon our arrival at Approx. 1410hrs we responded to the front door and did make contact with
Gerard. Gerard was very cooperative and was allowed to use the bathroom and gather some clothing. Gerard
was advised that Detectives wished to speak to her at Police HQ’s. Gerard agreed to come with us and was
escorted to Officer Laquale’s patrol vehicle. Gerard was not handcuffed and sat in the rear seat of the cruiser to
await transport to HQ’s. Providence Police Officer Quinilla #572 responded and was advised of the
circumstances.
At Approx. 1426 Hrs, Officer Laquale transported Gerard back to HQ’s in which Det. Imondi and I also
responded back to HQ’s. We arrived at HQ’s at approx. 1433 Hrs. Det. Imondi, Officer Laquale and I then
escorted Gerard into CIU Detectives and she was directed to have a seat in interview room #207 to await SVU
Detectives.
I also made contact with Detective Disano who advised me of the current charges against Gerard.
Gerard was charged with the following:
(1) Felony count of Abuse/Neglect – Adult W/Severe impairment / Serious injury RIGL 11-5-12
(1) Count of obstructing a police officer RIGL 11-32-1
(1) Count of false report of crime RIGL 11-32-2
Gerard was printed and processed by Officer Cooper.
Please refer to Detective Supplement reports for further.
Cranston Police Department
