MISSING SNOW BLOWER

On Dec. 16 at 6:27 p.m., Officer Patrick Smith was dispatched to Thor Place for the report of a larceny.

Upon arrival, Smith met with the reporting party, who said her daughter discovered their snow blower was missing. The snow blower had been located in an unsecured shed in the back yard of the house. They said they were unsure of the last time they checked on the snow blower, but they think that it was sometime in August.

The snow blower was described as a red 28-inch MTD Yard Machine snow thrower (model no. 317E660G000 and serial no. 1L056B3024). Smith said the snow blower was entered into the system. No suspects.

DISTRESSED DOG

On Dec. 19 at 9:32 a.m., Animal Control Officer James Channell was dispatched to the parking lot of Old Navy at Warwick Mall on the report that a dog was left in a dark blue S70 Volvo with R.I. registration. The dog was shivering, barking and in distress.

Upon arrival, Channell spoke with a mall security officer, who said she was on patrol of the Old Navy parking lot around 8 a.m. when she spotted a white Westie in the rear window area of a dark blue Volvo. She said the dog was shivering heavily, barking and whining. She told Channell the outside air temperature was 34 degrees Fahrenheit. She said she went into Old Navy and Macy’s to have the registered owner of the Volvo paged to respond to her vehicle. The woman, however, did not respond so she called Warwick Animal Control.

Channell said he radioed dispatch to have the apparatus respond to unlock the door. They arrived on scene around 10:45 a.m., as the owner was exiting the mall. When she got to the car, Channell advised her of the R.I. law and the dangers of confining a dog for approximately three hours without water in extreme temperatures. The owner, identified as Alison B. Pomeranz, 59, of 110 Franklin Street, Apt. #1, Bristol, R.I., was issued a violation for animal confined in a motor vehicle, with a municipal court date.

Pomeranz’s dog Lily is a 9-year-old female West Highland terrier.

SHOPLIFTING and

COCAINE

On Dec. 17 at 5 p.m., Officer Larson and Officer Kevin McGuire were dispatched to Wal-Mart, 650 Bald Hill Road, for a report of a shoplifting in progress. Dispatch advised that Loss Prevention personnel were following a male and a female out into the parking lot toward Sears Tire Center.

Upon arrival, McGuire located the male suspect in the parking lot. He was identified as John Cotugino, 51, of 326 Minerva Street, Lincoln. McGuire said he was carrying a woman’s purse. When asked where he was coming from, he said he was in Wal-Mart with his friend and that his friend left the store and he was looking for her. He first said the purse belonged to him, however, after asking him again, Cotugino said the purse belonged to his female friend.

McGuire said Loss Prevention personnel were in the parking lot at that time and positively identified Cotugino as the male who had been in the store concealing items and shoplifting with the female. At that point, he was placed into handcuffs and searched for contraband and weapons. McGuire said in Cotugino’s right front pocket, he found a $20 bill folded up into a small square. After unfolding the $20 bill, a small crack cocaine rock was found inside. Also during the search, McGuire said a men’s belt with the tag still on it (from Wal-Mart) was found around Cotugino’s waist. Loss Prevention confirmed they saw Cotugino select the belt from their merchandise.

McGuire said Cotugino was placed in a cruiser while he went in to Wal-Mart with Loss Prevention to view surveillance tapes, while Officer Larson and Officer Wells searched the area for the female. While watching the footage, McGuire said he observed Cotugino and the female suspect in the store selecting merchandise. The woman put several items in her purse, while Cotugino was standing with her. The two then exited the store without attempting to pay for the merchandise. The Loss Prevention officer said once he approached the suspects outside, they handed over some merchandise and took of running.

McGuire said the total value of the shoplifted merchandise was $67.95. Cotugino was transported to Warwick Police Department headquarters, where he was printed and processed. The crack cocaine rock was field tested and tested positive for cocaine. It was entered into evidence for toxicology results. Cotugino was charged with Possession of Schedule Substance (Felony); Shoplifting – Misdemeanor; and Habitual Offender – Shoplifting (Misdemeanor). Due to being a probation violator, Cotugino was held until the next session of Third Division District Court. The woman’s purse and its contents were tagged as property and held for safekeeping.