DRIVING WITHOUT LICENSE

On March 17 at 1:04 a.m., a Warwick police officer noticed a car exit the parking lot of a Mobil gas station with its trunk open, and what appeared to be a propane fire pit strapped into and hanging out of the trunk, obstructing the view of the vehicle's rear registration plate.

The officer then followed this vehicle onto Route 95 south. The officer conducted a traffic stop and upon speaking with the operator, determined that he did not possess a valid driver’s license. The officer then observed a small axe on the floor in front of the passenger seat and instructed the passenger to exit the vehicle.

The operator was identified as Christopher Laurence, and upon running checks, the officer discovered Laurence’s license was in fact suspended. It was verified that this would be Laurence’s fourth offense of operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

Laurence was arrested and transported to Warwick police headquarters, informed of his court dates and released.

SHOPLIFTING

On Feb. 16 at 5:01 p.m., Warwick officers responded to Walmart for a report of shoplifting in progress. While responding, all units were advised that the involved male ran from the store and was running toward an access road near Burlington Coat Factory. Dispatch described the suspect as wearing a gray zip-up hoodie with black sweatpants and a white baseball cap.

Dispatch also advised that the loss-prevention worker observed the suspect get into a red Saturn SUV and drive toward the Sketchers Store. Upon arrival, all three officers checked the surrounding area with negative findings. One officer remained in the area and continued to check the surrounding businesses and parking lots for the suspect.

The loss-prevention officer stated that on surveillance footage he saw a male put a pair of binoculars into his pocket and walk toward the front of the store. The loss prevention officer annotated in his written statement that he recognized this suspect from previous incidents at this location and knew him to have a no-trespass order against him blocking his presence in the store.

One of the officers identified the suspect as William Ruhle. At the time a warrant was drafted and pending for one count of misdemeanor shoplifting.

ARREST WARRANT

On March 19 at 7:50 p.m., Warwick police officers made a traffic stop. The vehicle was identified as a gold 2011 Lexus operated by Jesse Espinal.

While driving northbound on Bald Hill Road, one of the officers heard music playing obnoxiously loud, in violation of the city’s noise ordinance, in a car in the lane to their right as they approached from about 50 feet away. They passed the vehicle and came to a stop in traffic. As traffic resumed moving, they noticed the driver of the vehicle did not want to pass their marked patrol cruiser and stayed several car lengths behind them even though there were no vehicles in front of it. Eventually due to traffic, Espinal passed their position, and the music was no longer audible.

They ran the license plate which came back to Espinal, who they said had an affidavit warrant from the Providence Police Department for simple assault. He was arrested and taken to Providence police headquarters.

SHOPLIFTING

On March 20 at 3:20 p.m., an officer responded to Target for shoplifting. Dispatch advised that the loss-prevention officer had apprehended a male for "ticket switching" but had since released him. The loss-prevention officer advised she identified the male from his ID card as Brandon Folcarelli.

Upon arrival the officer met with the loss-prevention officer, who indicated she was conducting video surveillance and noticed Folcarelli placing a barcode onto a box of trading cards as he was scanning it at the self-checkout.

He had selected 10 boxes of trading cards and performed the same action for each one. He scanned all 10 boxes with this same barcode. The difference in price was significant, as the total came to $74.79. The retail value of the 10 boxes was $600.

Folcarelli then passed all points of sale without paying the correct amount for the items. He was apprehended on the sidewalk and escorted to see the loss-prevention officer.

At the time an affidavit warrant was requested against Folcarelli for shoplifting, second offense, after having been convicted previously.