POLICE NEWS

Police Log 02-23-23

Posted 2/22/23

WPD seeks van involved in Hit & Run

The Warwick Police Traffic Unit is asking for the public’s help locating a Ford 250 Transit Cargo Van with the “Budget” rental company …

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POLICE NEWS

Police Log 02-23-23

Posted

WPD seeks van involved in Hit & Run

The Warwick Police Traffic Unit is asking for the public’s help locating a Ford 250 Transit Cargo Van with the “Budget” rental company emblem on the right side, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. At approximately 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, Feb. 22, “this van was used in a hit and run that caused substantial damage to an occupied residence and a vehicle,” according to police.

“While we realize these rental vans are widely used, this specific van will have significant rear end damage,” police said. “Since it’s impossible to track down every single Budget rental van, we ask that any dealers, rental companies, or delivery service partners that use this model van, be on the lookout for damaged vehicles in your fleet. As always, thank you!”

Warwick Police ask that anyone with information contact Officer Nicholas DiNardo at nicholas.dinardo@warwickri.gov.


DUI, ASSAULT

Warwick Police arrested Karen Bachus, 60, of 208 Burt St., Warwick, and charged her with DUI, simple assault and refusal to submit to a chemical breath test, following a traffic stop near City Hall.

Bachus is a current member of the Warwick School Committee and past committee chairwoman.

At 9:51 p.m., Feb. 18, Warwick Police Officer Keara M. Enos was dispatched to 3275 Post Road to investigate the report of a pickup truck “speeding over the speed bumps” and swerving in front of City Hall.

Police dispatch asked the caller, who was following the truck, to activate their hazard lights to help alert police their location.

While on West Shore Road, Enos spotted the truck and the following vehicle with its four-ways flashing. Enos noted the truck crossed over the fog line with both passenger tires.

She initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Bachus.

“I immediately observed that Bachus’ speech was somewhat slurred, and I had difficulty understanding what she was saying at times,” Enos wrote in the arrest report. “As she spoke to me, I observed Bachus to have glossy and bloodshot eyes, and I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath as she spoke.”

Enos asked Bachus if she had consumed any alcohol and she alleged answered two glasses of rice wine (Japanese sake).

Bachus was asked to step out of the vehicle. She informed Enos that she had numerous medical conditions. Enos asked Bachus to consent to a series of standardized field sobriety tests.

Based on the results, Bachus was arrested and transported to the Warwick Police Department.

At the department, police noted that Bachus was combative and reused to comply with direct commands. At one point she refused to stand, according to police, and screamed repeatedly.

After Bachus refused to take a chemical breath test, she allegedly struck Enos.

“Bachus then balled her right hand into a fist, raised it above her shoulder, and struck me in the left arm just below my elbow,” Enos wrote in the report.

Bachus was secured in a cell.

“She was later removed from her cell to take photographs and fingerprints, at which time she made claim that I was harassing her,” Enos wrote. “Bachus was uncooperative with the Jailer who was attempting to photograph her, then refused to sign her property sheet, which was documented. She became confrontational with me again, and was subsequently returned to her cell until a time when she would be cooperative with officers.”

Police charged Bachus with Simple Assault/Battery, DUI (BAC unknown, first offense), Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test (first offense) and Laned Roadway Violation.

Around 2 a.m., the next day, she was released to a sober adult.


Warwick man sentenced to serve 15 years in state prison for child molestation

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Warwick man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 15 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading to sexually assaulting a male victim under the age of 14 between 2014 and 2016.

At a hearing on February 9, 2023, Michael Elgar (age 41) entered a plea of nolo contendere to two counts of first-degree child molestation.

At the hearing, before Superior Court Justice Richard Raspallo, the Court sentenced the defendant to 30 years, with 15 years to serve at the ACI, and a 15-year suspended sentence and 30 years of probation. The defendant was ordered by the Court to register as a sex offender, complete sex offender counseling, and is subject to community supervision, including GPS monitoring for life. The court also issued a No Contact Order between the defendant and his victim.

“The words are difficult to say, but this is truth: this defendant sexually assaulted a boy he knew, repeatedly, over a number of years. No sentence is long enough, and nothing can undo the devastating harm the defendant’s conduct visited on his young victim. But that courageous boy stood up, came forward, and ensured that this defendant will no longer be in a position to harm others. I am so grateful to him and his family,” said Attorney General Neronha. “I am also grateful to the Providence and Coventry Police Departments for their outstanding work in this case.”

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2014 and 2016, the defendant sexually assaulted a male victim under the age of 14, who was known to him, at a residence in Providence and a location in Coventry.

The victim reported the assaults to law enforcement several years later in 2021.

 “Cases involving the sexual exploitation of children are some of the most heartbreaking investigations conducted by the men and women of the Providence Police Department,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. “Our thoughts are with the victim and his loved ones at this time, and hope that this verdict can bring a sense of justice to them, following their traumatic experience.”

 “I commend the young victim in this case for coming forward and exhibiting great courage throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case,” said Coventry Police Chief Frederick Heise, III. “These cases have a profound impact on so many connected to the victim, whether it be family or the greater community. I thank the members of the Coventry and Providence police departments and the Office of the Attorney General who worked diligently on this case to ensure that justice was served.”

Detective Koren Garcia of the Providence Police Department, Detective Paul Pacheco of the Coventry Police Department, and Special Assistant Attorneys General Amanda Jacober and Meagan Thomson of the Office of the Attorney General led the investigation and prosecution of the case.


Cranston Police arrest teens from Johnston and Cranston for St. Mary’s School vandalism

Cranston Police have made two arrests in a school vandalism case — a Johnston man and a Cranston minor.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist announced the “arrest of two teenagers alleged to have spray-painted signs at the St. Mary Catholic School in Cranston.”

On Feb. 20, Cranston Police received a report that two signs had been vandalized at St. Mary’s Catholic School. According to police, a local teen who created an outdoor classroom posted one of the signs as part of an Eagle Scout project.

“The signs were spray painted with red and black paint with pentagram symbols,” according to police.

Police determined the vandalism occurred between the afternoon of Feb. 17 and the morning of Feb. 20, when it was discovered.

“The case was assigned to a detective from the Criminal Investigations Unit who worked closely with Patrol Officers,” according to a press release from Cranston Police. “Video surveillance was collected from the area, which captured a vehicle with distinctive markings at the time of the crime. An inquiry was then made in the Flock license plate reader camera system, which captured the license plate information for the same vehicle as it passed a camera in the proximity of the time and location of the crime.”

Police used the evidence to track down a Carmine DiSanto IV, 18, of Johnston, “who had been known to operate the vehicle in question,” according to Cranston Police.

DiSanto agreed to an interview with detectives and allegedly admitted that he vandalized the

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  • KeepCalmandCarryOn

    Is everyone in Warwick drunk? The devastation caused by people getting behind the wheel while this polluted in incalculable. This is an outrage that someone from our own School Committee drove drunk AND assaulted a police officer. Think of how many times she did this to eventually get caught.

    Our drunk driving laws are too lenient. I read over and over again about multiple offenders.

    It's selfish, it's inconsiderate. So many other options: Uber, Lyft, Cab, a family member or friend.....

    Hopefully this woman is seeking the help she needs before she does this again and actually takes a life, yours or a loved one!

    Will she be removed from the School Committee?? You'd think.....

    Sunday, March 19, 2023 Report this