The Police Log is a digest of reports filed by the Johnston Police. Chief Richard S. Tamburini or Deputy Chief David DeCesare has reviewed all reports.
DENTAL HYGIENE
Police hope to find a man who ran from the CVS on Plainfield Street with a bag full of Rogaine and dental hygiene supplies worth $1,289.81 on March 17.
A cashier told Patrolman Troy Maddocks the man came in around 8:40 p.m. and walked up aisle five and came back with a white gift bag filled to the top with merchandise. Maddocks said the store manager told him she could determine what was taken by using a portable scanner, which records what items should be unsold and on the shelves. She reported that an Oral B electric toothbrush priced at $139.99; a Sonic toothbrush marked $119; two Sonic Essence toothbrushes at $82.99; five packages of Rogaine for men worth $49.99 each; one Rogaine Extra Strength at $49.99; seven packages of Crest Whitening Strips marked $53.99 each; and two Crest Pro Effects Whitening Strips at $67.99 each were all taken.
Maddocks said he reviewed the surveillance tape with the store employees that showed the man entering the store, grabbing a gift bag and then go straight for the Rogaine and then onto the toothbrushes and whitening strips that he piled into the bag. The man was wearing a hat when he came in, which obscured his face, but he removed it long enough to reveal his facial features. He is described as Caucasian and between 30 and 40 years old, clean-shaven and wearing a black Nike baseball cap with a navy blue long-sleeved shirt over light blue jeans. The surveillance also shows him entering a car, which was backed into a parking space, and then driving off. Maddocks said the license plate was not visible on the car that appeared to be a gray Mitsubishi Gallant. The manager told Maddocks he could get a copy of the surveillance video the next day. The report was forwarded to detectives.
JOHNNY ON THE SPOT
Patrolman Jared DeAngelis reported that he went to a multi-unit residence on Killingly Street on March 17 to take a report of a larceny. An employee of the real estate management company that oversees the property told him that, at some point in January, the central air conditioning unit that was affixed to the building was stolen. The property manager told DeAngelis he knew that the crime was supposed to be reported at that time but it somehow “fell between the cracks” and was never reported. He told DeAngelis he had no suspects in mind for the theft but he was reporting it at this time so he could file an insurance claim for the unit, “although he was unable to name the insurance company” and gave no estimate about what it cost. DeAngelis said there was no video surveillance of the area where the unit used to be located and that it would have been clearly visible from the street. He said he took a picture of the area “where the unit was located at one time,” and uploaded them for his report.
DUI WITH INJURIES
Sgt. Joseph Salvadore reported he was on patrol around 1:30 a.m. on March 18 and was going west on Hartford Avenue behind a 2000 Volkswagen Bug when he saw a dark sedan car with no headlights on coming from the opposite direction at a high rate of speed. He said the sedan crossed over the double yellow line and hit the VW head-on. Salvadore called in the accident to dispatch for Johnston Rescue and got out to see the damage. He said the Volkswagen had heavy front-end damage but the driver only complained of neck pain and refused to be taken to the hospital. His passenger, an 80-year-old woman, was less lucky. Salvatore said she was bleeding from her face and complained of pain in her back, neck and legs and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.
Patrolman Mario Mennella said he was dispatched to the accident near 1300 Hartford and spoke with the driver of the sedan, who was apparently uninjured. He said the driver smelled of alcohol and appeared to be drunk but claimed he only had three beers at a friend’s house between 11 p.m. and 1:20 a.m. He said he asked the man if he could take a field sobriety test and he said he could. He said the man failed the test and consented to a preliminary breath-check and registered a .168 blood alcohol content (BAC). Henry Poeung, 24, of 100 Greenwood St., Providence, was taken to headquarters, where he registered a .187 BAC twice on the Intoxilyzer test. Poeung was charged with DUI, failing to report a change of address to the registry, laned roadway violations and driving at night without headlights.
Sgt. Salvadore said he went to the hospital around 5:20 a.m. to check on the well being of the passenger and the doctor told him that, so far, she had a broken wrist, a broken rib and a fractured hip but he would not have a full report until the next day.
Poeung was arraigned before a justice of the peace around 1:30 p.m. and released on $2,000 surety bail.
DUI AND REFUSAL
Sgt. Dennis Peacock reported he was on a fixed traffic post at Traver and Hedley Avenues around 10:50 p.m. on March 16 when he saw a car turn off Greenville Avenue with no headlights on. He said he was standing in the roadway at the time and attempted to wave the car over with his flashlight and the car stopped briefly but then continued south on Hedley. Peacock jumped into his cruiser and followed it with his emergency lights and siren on until the car finally stopped in front of 14 Homestead Ave. after it ran a stop sign. He said the driver appeared to be drunk and claimed he never saw Peacock waving him down. Peacock said he could not find his license and handed him credit cards and a series of expired insurance cards. He said the driver, identified as David J. Keane, 50, of 24 Paolino St., Providence, refused to take a field test or a breath test and was charged with DUI, refusal, driving without lights, running a stop sign and failing to stop for a police officer.
