BURNED BUDS

The aromatic smell of fresh and burned marijuana recently led to a driver being cited for possession.

In a report filed by Officer Thomas Greene, on August 28 around 6 p.m. he was on routine patrol on Metro Center Boulevard when he observed a Cadillac go through a stop sign at the intersection of Kilvert Street.

After conducting a traffic stop, Officer Greene identified the driver as Matthew Rice, 25, of 85 Shirley Boulevard, Cranston. While speaking with the driver and his passenger, the officer noticed the smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle. When questioned, Rice stated that he did have marijuana in the vehicle, prompting Greene to request dispatch to send another officer to the scene.

Rice was removed from the car and agreed to participate in a series of standardized sobriety tests. Based on Officer Greene’s experience, it was determined that Rice was able to drive and could safely operate the vehicle.

A search of the car revealed a marijuana cigarette. Due to the evidence gathered, Rice was issued a summons for possession of marijuana one ounce or less and a violation for obedience to a stop sign. The marijuana was seized as evidence, and 3.9 grams were tested positive at police headquarters.

STOLEN SNEAKERS 

Wearing a new pair of stolen Nikes didn’t help one shoplifting suspect elude police during a recent chase.

On August 31 around 2:45 p.m., Officer Darren Parrillo was dispatched to JC Penney at Warwick Mall in reference to an adult male the store’s security team was attempting to apprehend for shoplifting.

According to a statement provided by the store’s loss prevention officers, around 2:30 that afternoon a male subject, later identified as Jeremy Touch, 24, of 109 Reservoir Avenue, Providence, entered the men’s athletic department where he started sorting through boxes of Nike sneakers, apparently looking for shoes with no ink tags on them. He eventually selected two boxes, removed one shoe from each, and placed them on his feet. Store security footage captured the suspect proceeding to the sales floor, where he placed his old sneakers in a box and then placed that box on a shelf. He then passed all points of sale without attempting to pay.

Once outside, store security approached the suspect, identified themselves, and the subject then started running across Route 2 towards Uno Pizzeria. Store security maintained their observation while on the phone with police dispatch, and officers eventually apprehended the subject. Touch was taken back to the store by officers, where he was positively identified by store security while still wearing the new sneakers which were valued at $75.

Touch was transported to headquarters and charged with one count of misdemeanor shoplifting, and DVD surveillance from the store was obtained for evidence. He was held for the bail commissioner for an outstanding bench warrant as a bail violator as he was arrested on July 21 for felony drug possession, obstructing an officer, and a weapons (other than firearms) charge.

HIT AND RUN AND MORE

A driver suspected of operating under the influence, who reportedly told an officer to “just handcuff me because you know I’m drunk” after he hit another car without stopping and then hid out on another person’s boat, is facing a slew of charges.

According to Officer John Curley’s filed report, he and another officer were dispatched to the area of Post Road and Arnold’s Neck Drive for a report of a hit and run accident in progress. Dispatch advised that the reporting party had followed the suspect’s vehicle to the marina at the location after being hit and identified it as a silver Mercedes.

Dispatch also advised that the suspect operator was a white male wearing a blue shirt, khaki pants, white sneakers and was seen throwing alcohol out of his vehicle and then stumbled off towards the marina.

Upon arriving on scene, the officers met with the hit and run victim, who stated the suspect left towards the docks. She told the officers that she was at the corner of Arnold’s Neck and Post Road at a stop sign and was hit head on by the Mercedes. She turned to follow him and called 911 and had complaints of neck pain but refused rescue service and said she would go to the hospital on her own. She was unsure where in the marina the suspect was located. 

Another witness was located, who stated he saw the described man with a drink in his hand staggering down the docks and almost fell in the water. He watched the man then get into a boat that did not belong to him and enter its cabin and told the officers where he could be located.

Officers approached the boat and gave several verbal commands for the suspect to exit, which he refused to respond to or comply with. Officer Curley boarded the boat and opened the door to the cabin, where he asked the man to stand and disembark.

Identified later as Dennis McLaren, 38, of 111 Woodlawn Avenue, Bristol, he had extreme difficulty maintaining balance and had to be helped off the boat to prevent him from falling in the water. When asked if he was hurt from the accident, he replied “no.”

He was escorted to land and brought to the police cruiser with assistance, while officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from him. He stated he had driven to the marina, had not consumed any alcohol on the boat, and replied “I don’t know” when asked why he left the scene of the accident.

Officers attempted to begin a series of standardized sobriety tests, but McLaren wouldn’t look at the officers and stated that “you know I’m drunk,” and turned around and placed his hands behind his back. He was then handcuffed.

Prior to being transported to police headquarters, McLaren became uncooperative and had to have his legs lifted into the cruiser. He remained uncooperative at the police station, urinating on the holding room floor moments after being placed there. He refused a chemical breathalyzer test and phone call and attempted to walk away from officers several times. 

McLaren was fingerprinted and processed. He was issued violations for refusing to submit to a chemical test, no insurance first offense, driving under the influence second offense, and failure to stop at an accident resulting in damage. He was later released after the next session with the bail commissioner.

BREAKDOWN LANE VIOLATOR

Passing other cars on the right and traveling in the breakdown lane recently left one driver with motor vehicle violations.

According to Officer Aaron Steere’s report, he was at a stationary traffic post near the 1000 block of Bald Hill Road in a marked cruiser. While observing traffic, he observed a red 2001 Subaru traveling southbound in the posted and prohibited breakdown lane. Officer Steer observed the vehicle pass numerous vehicles on the right that were stopped in traffic, causing an unsafe condition.

After initiating a traffic stop, the driver was identified as Christopher Burns, 23, of 63 Calaman Road in Cranston. Background checks of Burns revealed that he was operating on a suspended license.

He was issued a court summons for driving with a suspended license and issued a Municipal Court violation charging him with use of a breakdown lane for travel, which is an $85 fine, or an optional court date.

Burns waited on scene for the arrival of a licensed operator to take custody of the vehicle.

PIRATED POSSESSIONS

Officer Albert Marano was dispatched to the Arnold’s Neck Road marina on September 3 around 2:30 p.m. to speak with a victim of stolen items.

Upon meeting with the reporting party, he was told by the boat’s owner that he had returned between 1 and 2 p.m. when he noticed that the lock to the box where he keeps his fishing gear had been broken. He stated that he had two tackle boxes valued at $50, a Garcia Bail caster valued at $50, a Bait Caster Shanono rod valued at $50, and assorted fishing tackle valued at $50 that were missing.

While there were no suspects or witnesses, the victim stated that he does wish to press charges if a suspect is located.