Police Log

The Police Log is a digest of reports filed by the Johnston Police. Chief Richard S. Tamburini or Deputy Chief Daniel Parrillo has reviewed all reports.

REPRESENTING

Patrolman Adam Parkinson reports he and several other officers were dispatched to the CVS at 1400 Hartford Ave. around 1 p.m. on Sept. 2 for a female party attempting to get hydrocodone with a fake prescription. Parkinson said he approached the woman, who was waiting, and advised her why he was there. He said she openly admitted she phoned in a fraudulent prescription that morning using someone else’s name. Parkinson noted that the woman worked as a medical assistant for the past three months. The pharmacist told police that the woman had called in a number of prescriptions over the previous weeks using information afforded her by her job and by using the name of the office she worked for and prescription forms from there. Parkinson showed how the prescriptions were gradually raised from 30 tablets twice before to the 60 tablets she attempted to get that day. Jessica Nichols, 25, of 12 Niverville St. in Johnston, was charged with three counts of false representation. Parkinson said record checks on Nichols revealed no prior arrests. She was later released on $5,000 personal recognizance.

WARRANTED

Patrolman Michael Protano reports a North Providence man came into headquarters on Sept. 4 to take custody of somebody or some property [redacted from report] and a routine check revealed a warrant form Superior Court for failure to appear for a cost review. Ronny W. Sanford, 39, of 26 Morgan Ave., was taken into custody, afforded the use of a phone and then transported to the ACI when he could not make bail.

Patrolwoman Brooke Ardito reports she was conducting a traffic stop on Sept. 3 when she discovered the passenger in the vehicle had an outstanding warrant from Superior Court for failure to appear for a hearing related to a fraudulent credit card charge. Dana M. Russo, 47, of 20 Park St. in Johnston, was processed and then transported to Superior Court.

CAR AND DRIVER

Patrolman Andrew Broccoli reports stopping a VW Jetta on Killingly Street around 2 a.m. on Sept. 5 for having window tinting that was too dark. He also questioned the combination license plate, which is usually found on larger vehicles. He said the driver admitted they were the wrong plates and said someone had just given him the car and he didn’t have the paperwork for it to prove it was a gift. In fact, Broccoli noted that the steering column was stripped, as is found on stolen vehicles. He said a check of the VIN revealed that the car did belong to the person that he said gave him the car but it was not registered. He told the driver to get out of the car because it was going to be towed. Broccoli said he was doing an inventory check and found a glass pipe with a piece of “Chore Boy” pot scrubber in it, commonly used to smoke crack cocaine. He said the man denied the pipe was his and said, “I haven’t touched the stuff in 17 years.” He said he found another piece of Chore Boy in the man’s wallet and a small plastic bag with a white, rock-like substance that looked like crack cocaine. He said a field test of the substance was positive for cocaine, and Nathan R. Goldsmith, 50, of 109 Massachusetts Ave. in Providence, was charged with possession of crack and driving an unregistered vehicle in the presence of a controlled substance. He was also cited for illegal sunscreen, no evidence of insurance, no inspection sticker and improper use of a registration. He refused to sign any of the citations. He was held for arraignment.

DUI AND REFUSAL

Patrolman David Galligan reported he was on patrol around 11:32 p.m. on Sept. 6 when he came upon a downed utility pole and debris from a car accident on Hartford Avenue. He said he then saw the car involved, which was off the roadway and on the grass. He said he found fresh vomit dripping down the driver’s door, and a witness approached and told him the driver fled on foot. He said and Patrolman Derrick Palazzo ran after the fleeing suspect, who ignored their commands to stop. He said they caught up with the suspect behind 1380 Hartford Ave., where the man submitted after a brief struggle. He said the driver smelled strongly of alcohol and repeatedly said, “Sorry, I’m so drunk. I shouldn’t have driven.” He said they took the driver to headquarters, where he failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a breath test. Mario A. Antelo, 23, of 465 Union Ave. in Providence, was charged with DUI and refusal, resisting arrest and obstructing an officer.