Police Log - 05/09/19

The Police Log is a digest of reports provided by the Johnston Police, Rhode Island State Police and other departments.

INTENT TO DEFRAUD

Michael R. Crugnale, 54, 868 Manville Road, Woonsocket, responded to Johnston Police Department headquarters on the morning of April 30 to confess to a charge of misdemeanor obtaining food/accommodations with intent to defraud.

Police said Crugnale confessed during an interview with Dets. Thomas Dwyer and Brian Loffredi, after which Crugnale was taken to Third Division District Court and arraigned. He was issued a no-trespass order.

The arrest stemmed from an alleged incident on April 27 at a store whose name has been redacted from reports. The reporting party told Dwyer an older white man had entered the bakery and identified himself as Mike. Police said Mike told the reporting party that he was employed at a location whose name was redacted, and that he had placed an order requesting a donation for the school.

The reporting party searched for the order but could not find one. They met with the owner about the order, after which Mike was given the requested food order. Police said Mike received two boxes of pizza and two bags of pizza chips totaling more than $53.

While the reporting party walked to the back, Mike told another employee that a chocolate cream pie, valued at $17.59, was a part of the order. It was boxed and handed over to Mike. As the reporting party returned, she saw Mike carrying the items and running out of the bakery. Police said the reporting party told them they realized the incident was fraud.

The reporting party also told police that the store does not donate pastry.

RECKLESS DRIVING

Patrolwoman Kayleigh T. Cooper was on a fixed post at 1263 Hartford Ave. on May 1 when she witnessed a motorist traveling approximately 93 mph in a 35 mph zone while in the center turn-only lane.

Cooper said she turned on her sirens and overhead lights and attempted to detain the vehicle, which was continuing to pass cars on the left and right as it continued to travel at a high rate of speed. The vehicle almost hit another driver trying to merge onto the Route 6 east on-ramp from Hartford Avenue. Cooper said it started to rain and the roads were wet.

Cooper was able to stop the vehicle a half-mile down the road and approached the operator, identified as Jorge Sarit Jr., 31, 140 Merle St., Warwick. A check showed that Sarit had a suspended Rhode Island driver’s license and this was his third offense.

He was charged with reckless driving and driving with a suspended license, third or subsequent offense. Sarit was taken to headquarters and released with a Third Division District Court summons for May 13. Cooper also noted that she did not observe any indications that Sarit was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.