Police Log

Man charged in

melee with officer

A Providence man is facing several charges after allegedly attacking a Johnston police officer following a traffic stop.

John D. Tice, 41, of 73 Silver Lake Ave., Apt. 1, is charged with misdemeanor counts of eluding police (first offense), simple assault or battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in connection with the April 25 incident, according to a Johnston Police Department arrest report.

In his narrative report, Johnston Sgt. Joseph Salvadore reports observing a vehicle traveling roughly 50 mph in a 25 mph zone while patrolling in the area of Morgan Avenue at Plainfield Street at approximately 1:30 p.m. The sergeant reports the vehicle swerved in and out of lanes, passing vehicles and making its way onto Silver Lake Avenue in Providence, all while failing to stop for the cruiser with its lights activated.

Salvadore reports the vehicle pulled into the driveway of 73 Silver Lake Ave., and that the operator – later identified as Tice – got out and charged at the cruiser.

“I then exited my police cruiser, unholstered my service weapon in the low ready position and ordered Tice to stop and place his hands in the air,” the sergeant writes in his report. “Tice stated ‘I’ll grab your [expletive] gun and shoot you.’”

Salvadore reports he then reholstered his weapon and “engaged in a physical altercation with Tice.” He also called for assistance from Providence and Johnston police.

The sergeant reports that he was struck in the chest and shoulder area while wrestling with the suspect in an attempt to handcuff him, but was uninjured. As the struggle continued, he reports using his pepper spray, but writes it “had little effect” on the suspect.

“Tice was able to break free, run onto the porch of his residence, grab a wooden chair and attempt to strike me or prevent me from grabbing him with the chair,” Salvadore writes. “I was able to grab the chair from him and throw it onto the front lawn.”

Salvadore reports that at this point, residents of the area and parishioners attending church at 93 Prudence St. “started to exit and film me.” He writes that a passing motorist stopped to provide assistance, allowing the sergeant to finally place the suspect in handcuffs.

“It should be noted that during the entire stuggle I state numerous times, ‘stop resisting, Johnston Police, stop resisting!’” Salvadore writes.

In a supplementary narrative, Patrolman Remy Mendez reports responding to the Silver Lake Avenue address to assist Salvadore. Upon his arrival, he reports that Tice was in handcuffs but “continued to be combative” and “refused to comply with several verbal commands.”

Mendez reports speaking with multiple witnesses, all indicating they had seen the vehicle being pursued by Salvadore’s cruised pull into the driveway. The patrolman writes that witnesses told him the driver then exited the vehicle “and immediately became verbally combative” toward the sergeant.

“They observed Mr. Tice become physically combative when he refused to listen to Sgt. Saldavore’s verbal commands and threw a chair at Sgt. Salvadore and then charged at him attempting to strike him with a closed fist,” Mendez reports being told by the witnesses. “A brief struggle then occurred and they observed Mr. Tice being pepper sprayed by Sgt. Salvadore as Mr. Tice continued to be combative and resist arrest. Mr. Tice was later placed in hand restraints by Sgt. Salvadore with the assistance of [a] tow truck driver.”

Stolen debit card

leads to larceny charge

Patrolman Kevin Brady reports responding to the Denny’s Restaurant at 1448 Hartford Ave. on April 13 following a report of a stolen debit card.

Upon arrival, the victim indicated she had noticed her card was missing after her arrival at work. Upon contacting her financial institution, the victim said she was told the card had been used for fraudulent transactions at a Walmart in Providence and at a Sam’s Club location.

Brady reports that after checking the restaurant’s records, only one employee had been in position to take the card, and that party had left the establishment prior to the first fraudulent transaction being made.

In an April 22 narrative report, Brady writes that Luis A. Rosales, of 103.5 Alverson St. in Providence, responded to police headquarters regarding the matter and was charged with larceny under $1,500.

According to a report by Detective Robert J. Lemieux on the same date, Rosales acknowledged finding and taking the care, but claimed not to know to whom it belonged. He also claimed to have only used the card twice, for purchases at Walmart and a Douglas Avenue market totaling roughly $280, before discarding it outside the Walmart.

Rosales was arraigned in Third District Court and released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty.