Police Log

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The Police Log is a digest of reports provided by the Johnston Police Department.

IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER

On February 10 around midnight, Patrolman Louis Cotoia, along with members of Third Watch, were dispatched to the Escada Bar on Putnam Avenue for a report of a male brandishing a firearm at bar staff inside the establishment.

While en-route, dispatch advised that the suspect was seen fleeing the area towards George Waterman Road and was described as approximately six feet tall, brown hair, with a thin build wearing a black patterned sweater and jeans.

At the bar, officers spoke with the complainant, who stated he was working behind the bar when a male customer told him he was a “State cop,” was “deep undercover” and “needed information on the table behind him.” When asked where his badge was the man lifted up his sweater and showed a pistol in a tan holster and said “this is my badge.”

While on scene, officers stated that they had observed an individual matching the suspect’s description walking in the area of George Waterman Avenue, whom they stopped. The individual, according to the report, was identified as Brendan Farley, 32, of 5 Bradford Street in Johnston. Patrolman Varan stated the man had a tan pistol holster on his belt but no handgun. Officers observed video surveillance of the establishment and confirmed that Farley was the suspect in the case.

Farley was arrested and transported to police headquarters. When questioned about the location of the handgun, Farley stated that he did not know what they were talking about and he usually carries a pistol holder on his belt without a weapon. Several officers conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area, but no weapon was located.

Farley was criminally charged with impersonating a police officer, obstructing a police officer and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned before a Justice of the Peace and held as a probation violator. He was then transported to the ACI with a February 13 court date.

INTENT TO DEFRAUD

Officer Adam Parkinson responded to the Hartford Avenue Enterprise Rent-A-Car on January 3 around 1:30 p.m. in reference to a report of a rental vehicle that had not been returned.

At the scene he met with the reporting party who advised that on November 10, 2016 the patron and suspect, identified as Christopher Bergin, 45, of 101 Cucumber Hill Road in Foster, had rented a 2016 Nissan Altima that was scheduled to be returned on December 16. However, the vehicle had not been returned and all attempts to contact Bergin and locate the vehicle at his last listed address were unsuccessful. The company advised the officer that they wished to pursue a criminal complaint.

Officer Parkinson attempted to contact the suspect but was met with negative results. In reference to the complaint, an affidavit and arrest warrant was prepared on January 4 for the charge of obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud.

The Providence Police Department contacted Johnston Police on January 23 regarding a recovered stolen vehicle. The car was located off Cranston Street in the city with no reported damage and both license plates affixed. Detectives were then advised of the latest break in the case.

On January 30, Johnston officers responded to the Rhode Island State Police in Lincoln to pick up a subject identified as Christopher Bergin. He was transported to Johnston Police Headquarters to be processed and turned over to detectives for further investigation.

FALSE PRETENSES

On March 12, 2016, Patrolman Ryan Lemieux met with a man in police headquarters to take a report of a larceny. There, the victim advised the officer that on September 20, 2014, he signed a contract to have his roof shingled by Luther Roofing Incorporated and stated that he paid $2,328 of the $4,650 due for the job to the owner of the company, Kenneth Luther, 76, of 262 Abbott Run Valley Road in Cumberland.

According to the report, the man said that work was supposed to start two weeks after the first deposit but never did. Multiple attempts were made to contact Luther, which were unsuccessful. The victim also stated that he filed a complaint with the Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board and found that Luther Roofing’s contractor license was revoked. After an extended period of time and numerous correspondences with the Contractors Board, the man was advised to file a police report.

Officer Lemieux attempted to contact Luther but was unable to leave a message on his cellular phone. The case was then forwarded to detectives for further investigation. An affidavit and an arrest warrant for Luther was prepared on March 14, 2016 for obtaining money under false pretense over $1,500.

On February 10, 2017, Patrolman Louis Cotoia responded to Providence to take custody of Luther, who had been arrested after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He was transported to Johnston Police headquarters, where he was processed. He was arraigned by a justice of the peace on February 11 and released on $5,000 personal recognizance with an April 14 District Court date.

HIT AND RUN

Patrolman Adam Parkinson responded to the intersection of Simmonsville and Scituate Avenues on February 10 around 10 a.m. in reference to a report of a hit and run motor vehicle accident.

Upon arrival, he observed a vehicle stopped on Scituate Avenue facing west and spoke with the operator, who advised he was not injured. He told the officer that he was stopped at the intersection when another car struck him from behind. He then exited his car and spoke to the other driver, who he described as a white female in her mid-30s. He told the woman he had contacted police, at which time she responded that she had a warrant and couldn’t afford to be arrested and have her car impounded.

The woman then re-entered her vehicle and exited onto Simmonsville Avenue heading west. According to the report, a registry check revealed that the suspect vehicle was registered to Christy Boisvert, 36, of 20 Park Street in Johnston. Officer Parkinson called Boisvert, who openly admitted to being involved in the accident. She told the officer that she left the scene to “take care of a warrant at District Court.” A background check revealed that she did not have an outstanding warrant and she was informed of the same. Boisvert then said she would report to police headquarters immediately.

At the station, Officer Parkinson took pictures of Boisvert’s car and obtained her insurance information. She was then processed and released with a District Court summons for duty to stop in an accident. She was also issued a ticket for following too close.

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