Police Log - 06/27/19

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

SHOPLIFTING

Patrolmen David Galligan and Kevin Lyons responded to Petroil at 1401 Plainfield St. on the afternoon of June 16 after a shoplifting call regarding two $20 scratch tickets and two lighters.

Galligan spoke with the store owner, who told police that he was reviewing the scratch ticket box when he noticed that the $20 Millionaires Club scratch tickets were partially exposed form the roll holder.

After reviewing sales, he noticed he did not sell any of those tickets on that day. The owner reviewed surveillance footage that showed a man entering from behind DiChiro Law Offices on 1405 Plainfield St. Police said the footage shows the man reaching across the counter, grabbing the two tickets and concealing them in his left front pocket and waist band.

Police said the owner told them the man also grabbed two lighters, and was then chased out $15 for the winning tickets. The owner noted that the man did not pay for any of the merchandise.

Galligan said that through review of surveillance, still photographs and previous encounters, he identified the suspect as Jonathan O’Connell, 38, 30 John St., Johnston. Galligan said O’Connell was arrested June 17 at 7:31 a.m. on charges of disorderly conduct and simple assault. During processing, Galligan said O’Connell was found to be in possession of an orange Bic lighter, which is one of the lighters the store owner said was stolen.

O’Connell was additionally charged with misdemeanor shoplifting. His bail was set at $3,000 with surety and a violation hearing was scheduled for July 1. O’Connell was issued a no-contact order and also has a pre-arraignment conference set for Sept. 10.

RECKLESS DRIVING

On the night of June 17, Patrolman Nicholas A. Manocchio reports Cranston Police sent out an intercity broadcast to the Johnston Police Department requesting aid in finding a vehicle used in the commission of shoplifting at Walmart on Plainfield Street in their city.

Manocchio said it was reported that $5,000 worth of electronic merchandise was stolen and the suspect vehicle was seen fleeing eastbound on Plainfield Street. Patrolman Michael Schiappa and Manocchio responded to the Atwood Avenue and Plainfield Street area, where they observed the suspect vehicle near 1025 Plainfield St.

When Manocchio made an attempt to detain the vehicle, the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed. Manocchio noted that there was little vehicular and pedestrian traffic at the time. He said he notified communications of his pursuit and Providence Police were told of the chase.

Manocchio told communications that his speed was 55 mph during the pursuit, despite the 25 mph speed limit on Plainfield Street. The suspect vehicle went through the intersection of Duxbury and Killingly streets, ignoring a stop sign and continuing on to Dedham Avenue in Providence. Dedham Avenue, Manocchio noted, is a dead-end road. The vehicle came to a stop and both suspects emerged and followed all verbal commands.

The operator – identified as Christopher A. Carrion, 24, 8A Lawrence Road, Cumberland – was charged with reckless driving. Manocchio said Carrian was transported to Johnston Police headquarters, where he was held as a probation violator.