CROSSING GUARD CHARGED WITH DUI

On Nov. 16 at 3 p.m., Officer Gregory Johnson was conducting a crossing guard survey on Manolla Avenue at Pawtuxet Avenue, monitoring the school crossing and crossing guard Dana Barry. Barry was supposed to arrive at 3:05, but by 3:10 she still had not shown up and Johnson said he crossed two students that had been walking on Manolla Ave.

Johnson, who knows Barry, said she drove up and parked behind him at 3:15. He noticed she was driving a white 2007 Ford Taurus, which had some dealership markings on it and was different than what Barry normally drives. She explained to him it was a loaner vehicle, as her vehicle was at Balise, and further said the reason she was late was because she ran into heavy traffic due to the construction on Main Avenue. Johnson said he informed Barry two of her students already crossed while he was there. Upon speaking with Barry, Johnson said he noticed her speech was soft and mumbled, her eyes were glossy, she appeared lethargic, and he detected a moderate odor of intoxicating beverages emanating from her breath. When asked if she had been drinking, Barry said she hadn’t and that she did not feel well. Johnson insisted he could smell alcohol and asked Barry to blow in his face, to which she just stuck out her tongue and said she had bad breath because she hadn’t brushed her teeth. Johnson again informed Barry he could smell alcohol and she finally admitted having wine earlier at lunch. When asked if she had more than one wine, Barry said no. While waiting for another officer to arrive with a portable breath test, Johnson said he remained with Barry and assisted in crossing two more students.

At 3:35 p.m., Officer Quentin Tavares arrived with a portable breath instrument. Although Barry consented to submit to standardized field sobriety tests, including a portable breath test, she provided an insufficient breath sample three times, saying she was a smoker and had deficient lung capacity, before registering a .105 BAC. Based on Johnson’s observations and Barry’s performance during the field sobriety tests, in which she exhibited lack of smooth pursuit in her eyes, missed heel-to-toe several times, and swayed, the effects of intoxicating beverages were apparent and her ability to operate a motor vehicle was deemed impaired. Barry was then arrested and placed Tavares’ cruiser while he conducted an inventory search of her vehicle, in which he found a 4-pack of Barefoot Pinot Grigio bottles of wine. Tavares said one of the bottles was opened and partially consumed. He also discovered an empty Solo cup in the front of the vehicle that smelled of an intoxicating beverage. The wine was seized and tagged as evidence.

Tavares then transported Barry to Warwick Police headquarters, where she refused to submit to a chemical test. Johnson described Barry as “somber, polite and cooperative” throughout the arrest process and said she cooperated with the alcohol influence questions. Barry admitted to drinking from the 4-pack of wine earlier that morning. She also said she went to The Islander restaurant for lunch, where she had a martini but did not eat anything.

Barry, 40, of 4 Joanna Drive, Warwick was booked and processed for DUI – B.A.C. Unknown and also charged with Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test. She was later released to her husband, her also received the keys to her vehicle.

Lieutenant Michael Gilbert, who is in charge of the Community Policing Unit and oversees crossing guards, could not be reached for comment regarding whether any disciplinary action has been taken as a result of Barry’s arrest.

SUSPENDED LICENSE & SHOPLIFTING

On Nov. 18 at 10:40 a.m., Officer Michael Walker assisted Sergeant Falcofsky with an investigation at the Home Depot on Universal Boulevard. Upon arrival, Walker was advised by Falcofsky that the vehicle he had been watching was a suspected shoplifter and it had moved across the street to Dick’s Sporting Goods. Walker said he observed the vehicle leave the parking lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods and proceed southbound onto Bald Hill Road, where he pursued the vehicle and conducted a stop due to the fact the white 2003 Ford Explorer had commercial plates on a passenger vehicle and appeared to be unregistered. The vehicle then pulled into the Scrub A Dub parking lot at 1390 Bald Hill Rd.

At that time, Walker identified the operator as Roy A. Defusco, 51, of 2045 Elmwood Avenue, Warwick, and advised him why he was being stopped and asked for his license. Defusco then provided Walker with an R.I. identification card. When asked if he had a license, Defusco said it was suspended. Upon checking with the female passenger if she had a license, she also only had an R.I. identification card. After routine checks, Walker said the registration plate on the vehicle came back to a subject that was not known to Defusco, who told Walker he got the plate from his brother’s business parking lot off of another vehicle that he borrowed. Walker said the plate came back to a blue 2002 Ford truck.

Following a brief investigation at the scene, Walker transported Defusco to Warwick Police headquarters without incident. Upon arrival, Defusco was processed and charged with Driving After Suspension of License. His vehicle was towed and the plates were seized and sent to the DMV until proof of ownership could be established.

While at headquarters, Detectives advised Walker that Defusco was being investigated for a shoplifting that occurred in October 2015 at Macy’s. Walker was later advised Defusco would be charged with Felony Shoplifting for the incident. Defusco was processed, charged for both crimes, and transported to Third District Court to be arraigned on the new charges as well as a probation violator.

The Police Log is a digest of reports filed by the Warwick Police Department.