Police Log

Posted 1/31/17

STOLEN TOOLS

Officer Matthew Smith was dispatched to a North Fair Street residence on January 22 around 2:42 p.m. for a report of a larceny.

At the scene he met with the resident who stated …

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Police Log

Posted

STOLEN TOOLS

Officer Matthew Smith was dispatched to a North Fair Street residence on January 22 around 2:42 p.m. for a report of a larceny.

At the scene he met with the resident who stated that on January 15 around 3 p.m. his detached garage, located at the rear of his residence, was locked and that the side and garage doors were secured and all items inside were accounted for.

On January 22 the homeowner noticed that the side door handle was damaged and loosely attached. Upon checking the inside of the garage, it was discovered that a portable generator, backpack leaf blower, snow blower, two bicycles and golf clubs, with a total estimated value of $2,850, were missing.

The resident advised Officer Smith that he wished to press charges should the individual responsible be identified.

VANDALISM

On January 23 around 10:30 a.m., Officer Albert Romano was dispatched to Dennis Diffley Services on Warwick Avenue for a malicious damage report. Upon arrival the officer noticed a camper at the scene. He then met with the woman complainant, who advised that she was in the process of selling the camper when she noticed that someone had kicked in the plastic dome above the shower, which was valued at $1,000.

Officer Romano observed pieces of the plastic dome inside the trailer on the floor. While it was unclear if the perpetrator gained access to the camper, the woman stated that no contents were missing. She indicated that she would like to press criminal charges if a suspect is found.

FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on January 22, a man visited police headquarters to speak with Officer Charles Austin about a larceny from his vehicle.

The man stated that earlier that day, just after midnight, he had parked his vehicle on Andover Drive and was staying at a friend’s house. After he left and returned to his Massachusetts home he realized that his wallet was missing from his vehicle. He then checked his bank account to find two fraudulent transactions totaling $48.52 at the Greenwich Avenue Shell Station. The victim also stated that there was $270 in the wallet.

The report was forwarded to detectives for further review.

OBSTRUCTING AN OFFICER

While on patrol traveling northbound on Jefferson Boulevard in an unmarked cruiser on January 20 around 4:47 p.m., Officer Matthew Higgins observed a vehicle traveling southbound in the area of Lincoln Avenue with a driver who appeared to not be wearing his seatbelt.

According to the report, it appeared that the operator observed the police cruiser even though it was unmarked. The vehicle then made an abrupt change of lanes and then took a side street on the right without using a directional signal. Officer Higgins then observed the car in a parking lot off of Illinois Avenue, where it sat momentarily before proceeding back onto the street, where a traffic stop was initiated.

Officer Higgins made contact with the driver, who stated he had no identification on him and gave the name of Hipolipo Valcuela with a date of birth of 09/04/1990. The officer had difficulty understanding Valcuela, so he confirmed the spelling of his name by writing it. Valcuela appeared extremely nervous and was hesitant answering questions and said he had nothing with his name on it on his person.

A background check with the information provided proved negative. A cross-check using similar names resulted in a Hipolito Valenzuela with a date of birth of 09/17/1990, and it appeared to be the same subject. When approached again, the suspect then produced a wallet with a bank card with the name Hipolito Valenzuela on it. The suspect then said he gave the wrong date of birth because when he was born in the Dominican Republic, he was given two dates of birth.

Additional background checks found Hipolito Valenzuela, 26, of 141 Superior Street, Apt. 2 in Providence, had two outstanding warrants. He was arrested, handcuffed and transported to police headquarters. There he was processed for the warrants and charged with obstructing an officer in execution of duty and driving on a suspended license, third offense. He was later transported to the ACI.

EXPIRED LICENSE

While Officer Adam Arico was walking in the parking lot of the Post Road Sunoco on January 21 around 10 p.m. he observed a vehicle leave the lot at a high rate of speed with screeching tires. The officer then followed the vehicle as it proceeded on Coranado Road to Jefferson Boulevard. Upon catching up to the vehicle in the area of Lincoln Avenue, a traffic stop was initiated.

Officer Arico then made contact with the driver, identified as Mark McGowan, 32, of 237 Tiogue Avenue in Coventry, who stated he did not have his license with him. McGowan also told the officer he had just purchased the car and had not had an opportunity to register it. He was unable to produce any paperwork showing that he was within the 72-hour period to register the vehicle.

A background check revealed the car to be unregistered and that McGowan’s license was expired. He was cited for driving on an expired license, no license on person, care in starting from stop, and operating an unregistered vehicle. His vehicle was towed and his plates seized. McGowan was then provided transportation to his girlfriend’s home.

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  • RISchadenfreude

    Fortunately, petty criminals and scofflaws like Mr. Baez, Mr. Valenzuela and Mr. McGowan continue to do stupid things that draw attention to themselves; you'd think that people who were circumventing the law would be model drivers and citizens, but they can't quite seem to function in normal society.

    Wednesday, February 1, 2017 Report this