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

ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON 

On Jan. 4 at about 6 p.m., members of the Warwick Police Department responded to a home on Hilton Road in Warwick after receiving a tip that the sport utility vehicle that was being sought for striking a traffic detail officer on Jan. 2 at 10:14 a.m. in the area of 18 Airport Road in Warwick, was located at the residence.

Upon arrival on-scene on Hilton Rd., officers noticed a gray 2015 Ford Edge parked in the driveway of the home with evidence linking it to the reported crime. The Ford matched the description of the car that fled the scene after striking Sgt. Thomas Snow on Jan. 2 on Airport Road. 

The officers spoke to a Tammy Vicino, born in 1979, who admitted to being the driver who struck the Snow on Jan. 2. Vicino was then taken into custody without incident for one charge of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (being her car) and was held at the Warwick Police Department to appear before the justice of the peace on that charge.

Snow was treated and released from Kent Hospital on Jan. 2 for injuries he received when he was struck by Vicino’s car.

STOLEN VEHICLE 

On Dec. 24 at 9:57 p.m., Officer Thomas Duncan was dispatched to the Showcase Cinema at 1200 Quaker Lane for a stolen auto complaint.

Upon arrival, Duncan spoke with a man, who said his vehicle, described as a 2002 silver Chrysler Town and Country, had been stolen. He said he parked his vehicle in the front of the Showcase Cinema at approximately 7:15 p.m. and when he returned a couple hours later, he found it was missing. He said the vehicle was locked, he had the keys and no one else had permission to operate it. He said there was a Craftsman power tool set inside the vehicle, which contained a drill, sawzall, light, skill saw, and numerous flooring tools. There was also a Lego set and miscellaneous clothes inside the vehicle. He said the vehicle had a 20-foot painting ladder on its top, along with heavy body rot on the passenger side and a noticeable dent on the driver’s side bumper. The man said he’s never had anything like this happen to him and has no idea who might have stolen his vehicle.

Duncan said he checked the Showcase Cinema parking lot but was unable to locate the vehicle. He said he also checked the surrounding area but was unable to locate the vehicle. Dispatch was advised to enter the vehicle was stolen and a verbal complaint was obtained from the man’s mother, who is the registered owner of the vehicle.  

FLAT TIRES & DAMAGED RIMS 

On Dec. 18 at 7:47 p.m., while on patrol, Officer Walter Larson was dispatched to the All Town gas station, located at 1050 Bald Hill Road, in reference to a vandalism report. 

Upon arrival, Larson met with the calling party, who advised him the vehicle belonging to her daughter was parked at the T. J. Maxx plaza, located at 1245 Bald Hill Road, where its two front tires were slashed. The vehicle was described as a black 2013 Volkswagen Passat bearing R.I. registration. 

The woman told Larson at approximately 5 p.m., she parked the vehicle in front of T. J. Maxx, closest to the portion that faces the commercial building in a southern direction and close to the fire hydrant. Approximately two hours later, she returned to the vehicle and began to drive away, not realizing the tires had been slashed until she got to the All Town gas station. She then observed the two front flat tires and some damage to the rims.

The woman said she could not think of anyone who would do the damage. While inspecting the damage, Larson observed a flat straight puncture wound to the driver’s side front tire. Larson said he could not observe any punctures to the passenger’s side front tire, probably because the tire damage rolled to under the rim, which was flat but also had a lot of dents and scratches, with damage to the rim, especially on the passenger side front. 

Larson said he made a check of the parking lot and did not observe any suspects or any further vandalized vehicles. He also said there was not any video surveillance outside of the T. J. Maxx parking lot. No suspects.

HEROIN 

On Nov. 18 at 9 a.m., members of the Warwick Police Special Operations Group assembled at police headquarters for a briefing on the execution of a search warrant for a 2nd floor apartment at 20 Benedict Road in Warwick in connection with an ongoing narcotics investigation. Detectives also had an arrest warrant for the target of the investigation, identified as Joshua J. Babbidge, 29, of the same address, for six counts of delivery of heroin. According to police, during the months October and November 2015, detectives made six controlled buys of heroin from Babbidge at his residence at 20 Benedict Road. During the encounters, they would receive a small folded piece of paper containing suspected heroin in exchange for $40 in Warwick Police funds. The suspected heroin was then turned over to officers, who field-tested it at headquarters. Each time the test indicated positive for heroin.

At 10 a.m. on Nov. 18, detectives responded to 20 Benedict Rd. along with uniformed personnel and a K-9 unit. After knocking on the door and announcing “Warwick police, search warrant” and not getting a response, police forced their way inside the building and the apartment, where they found Babbidge in his bedroom along with his girlfriend and a pit bull. Babbidge was taken into custody while his girlfriend and the dog were detained without incident. The girlfriend, who denied any knowledge of narcotics at the residence, was questioned, warned and released back to the apartment. 

Babbidge was escorted outside of the residence where he was advised of the investigation and search warrant. Babbidge denied any involvement in the dealing of narcotics and said there was only drug residue in his bedroom as a result of his personal use of heroin.

While conducting a search of the apartment, K-9s had positive alerts for the presence of narcotics at the headboard of the bed and at a small nightstand beside it, although a search by detectives failed to yield any contraband at the time. Officers were able to locate several measuring scales, used syringes and marijuana smoking pipes, as well as two small mirrors and two cut pieces of plastic straws, which are common devices used to snort narcotics. It should be noted the condition of the residence was in a dilapidated state with trash and belongings piled around the apartment. She photographed the area and secured a parcel of mail with Babbidge’s name and address to prove tenancy. 

Babbidge was transported to police headquarters and charged with six counts of delivery of heroin. He was then processed and transported to Third District Court.