Police Log

Posted

DUI CHARGE

Patrolman David J. Loffler reports responding to a motor vehicle accident the area of Downing Drive and Pinewood Avenue just before 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 12. Dispatch advised a vehicle had struck a fence in the wooded area west of the intersection, and that its occupants were attempting to leave the scene.

Upon arrival, Loffler reports speaking with a man who said he had been an occupant of the vehicle. The man told the patrolman he had been with the driver at a residence before getting in the car, and he had observed the driver “take a shot” of alcohol. The man said while driving, prior to the Downing and Pinewood intersection, the driver “began to do a ‘burnout’” and lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a chain link fence.

Another officer then reportedly located the driver walking south on Downing Drive, and Loffler responded to that location. Loffler reports upon making contact with the man, he observed his “speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and his face was pale,” and that his “breath also emanated a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and he was covered in mud.”

Loffler reports the man consented to field sobriety tests, but after the first refused to continue and told police, “[Expletive] arrest me!”

Joshua M. Arruda, 26, of 22 Roland St., Apt. #LKA, in Cumberland, was subsequently arrested and transported to Johnston police headquarters, where Loffler states he refused to submit to a chemical test.

Arruda is charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (first offense, BAC unknown) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He was additionally issued three traffic violation citations.

CHASE LEADS

TO DRUG CHARGES

Sgt. Joseph Salvadore reports observing a driver not wearing a seatbelt while patrolling on Plainfield Street the afternoon of Aug. 13.

The vehicle was detailed at 75 Mill St., and contained a driver and passenger. Salvadore reports smelling a “strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle,” and the driver reportedly said he had smoked marijuana “about four hours ago.” The sergeant reports the odor was “overwhelming,” which led him to believe there may be marijuana in the vehicle.

Salvadore reports he asked the driver to exit the vehicle, and observed the man’s right sneaker was unlaced, leading him to believe something was concealed inside the sneaker. The driver reportedly acknowledged having marijuana in his sock – and then “bent over to retrieve the marijuana … produced a clear plastic baggie, clinched his first, and fled on foot.”

A foot pursuit ensued, during which Salvadore states he observed the man throw the plastic bag on the ground.

The man eventually stopped upon encountering another officer, and was arrested without incident.

Salvadore reports locating the plastic bag the man had thrown, which contained five smaller bags “containing a brown powdered substance known to me as heroin.” That was later confirmed by testing, the sergeant reports.

Hazael Deleon, 23, of 3 Alger Ave. in Providence, is charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, driving in possession of controlled substances, and obstructing an officer in execution of duty.

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