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

GRAFFITI

On July 31, Officer Tammy Mello was dispatched to Inez Avenue in reference to a malicious damage complaint, i.e. graffiti.

Upon arrival in that area, Mello spoke with the reporting party, who said he noticed someone had spray painted red graffiti on his fence that faces Inez Avenue. He said he noticed the same markings were on the manhole cover in the middle of the street and on pole #16.

Mello also spoke with a neighbor on Inez Avenue, who said she noticed painted graffiti at the end of her driveway on telephone pole #16. She said she also saw graffiti on a for sale sign on a house down the street.

Mello drove by the residence with the for sale sign and noticed it had been vandalized. Sergeant McKay responded to the scene and took several photographs of the damage.

MARIJUANA

On July 30 at 1:41 a.m., Officer Brian Fontaine was traveling southbound on Post Road in a marked police cruiser, when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed heading northbound on Post Rd. Fontaine conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Post Road and Aborn Avenue.

Upon making contact with the operator, who was later identified as Deven M. Guernon, 19, of 62 Fiume Street, West Warwick, Fontaine immediately observed a plastic bag of a green leafy substance to be sitting on his lap. Fontaine said he was also able to detect the odor of unburned marijuana.

When asked what was on his lap, Guernon said it was marijuana. He handed Fontaine the bag and said it belonged to his cousin. He said the vehicle was being rented by his cousin and he was just driving it.

Based on Fontaine’s observations of the marijuana to be on Guernon’s lap and within his immediate possession, Guernon was issued a violation for possession of marijuana 1 ounce or less, with a mandatory court date at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.

The suspected marijuana field-tested positive.

RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS

On July 27 at 8:34 a.m., Officer Matthew Higgins was on patrol in a marked police cruiser in the area of Oakland Beach Avenue at West Shore Road. At that time, he observed a vehicle pass him eastbound on West Shore Rd. The male operator had his cell phone and appeared to be texting.

After running the registration, Higgins said it came back as reportedly stolen out of a rental facility in West Warwick. The plates were displayed on a green Lincoln.

After initiating a motor vehicle stop, Higgins made contact with the operator, who identified himself using a R.I. identification card as Richard Vitiello, 39, of 1342 Main Street, West Warwick. Upon running checks on Vitiello, it was discovered his R.I. driver’s license was suspended.

The plates were confirmed stolen. Vitiello said he got the plates from a junkyard in the Blackstone area just a few weeks ago. He knew that they did not belong on his vehicle. Vitiello was subsequently removed from his vehicle, placed in handcuffs and searched incident to arrest. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Higgins said the plates were seized and given a property tag number. Vitiello was then transported to Warwick Police headquarters, where he was booked and processed for one count of receiving stolen goods and driving with a suspended license. He was released with a summons on both charges.

WARRANT

On July 27 at 7:35 p.m., Officer Jacob Elderkin was on routine patrol on Post Road in the area of Cilantro Mexican Grill at 1759 Post Rd., when he observed a white 2016 Toyota 4 Runner bearing Maryland registration being operated by a female with a male passenger. Elderkin said the woman appeared to be acting very erratic inside the vehicle, as she was jumping all around inside of the vehicle and she kept repeatedly wiping her mouth. The vehicle then made a significant swerve from the right hand travel lane all the way over the left hand travel lane, then back to the right hand travel lane without using any directional. Elderkin said there was also no other vehicle that she was trying to go around and she just swerved for no apparent reason. Elderkin then conducted a motor vehicle stop and the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of Cilantro Mexican Grill.

Elderkin then made contact with the female operator, identified as Tricia Mello, 45. Upon running checks on Mello, it was determined her license to operate was currently suspended. She was summonsed on scene and given a Third District Court date for driving after suspension of license first offense. The vehicle was later towed from the scene following a motor vehicle inventory search.

Prior to the vehicle being towed, Elderkin made contact with the male passenger, who said he did not have identification on him. He provided Elderkin with the name of Lawrence Tench. Upon running checks on that name, it was determined there was an active warrant for his arrest. The male was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.

Mello was given a violation for laned roadway with a pay by mail fine or an optional Municipal Court date. The vehicle was towed and she was released from the scene.

While en route to Warwick Police headquarters with Tench in the back, Elderkin said the male party said he had something to tell him but he would wait until they arrived at the station.

Upon arrival, the said to Elderkin, “I know you’re going to whack me with a misdemeanor.” When asked what he was talking about, the man said the name of Lawrence that he gave Elderkin was actually his brother’s name. Elderkin said it should be noted when he was first given the name Lawrence, he ran checks and looked up his picture, which appeared to match the male in custody, but was later determined to be the man’s brother. The man said his real name is Jason Tench, 41, of 18 Barrows Street, Providence. Upon running checks on Jason, it was determined he also had a warrant for his arrest.

Due to Jason Tench providing Elderkin with the false name of Lawrence and being taken into custody under that name, Jason was also charged with one count of obstruction officer in execution of duty. Jason was then processed. Since he was unable to obtain bail money, he was held for the next hearing with the bail commissioner.