Police Log

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

MEMORIAL DAY BREAKDOWN

Rhode Island State Police arrested 46 people and issued 364 citations for a variety of motor vehicle violations over the Memorial Day weekend, according to a press release from Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety.

Troopers also investigated 73 motor vehicle crashes from Friday through Monday, Colonel Assumpico said. Fortunately, she noted, none resulted in serious injury.

Of the arrests, five people were arrested on drunk-driving-related charges; eight for narcotics violations; and one on weapons charges. The others were arrested for motor vehicle offenses and outstanding warrants.

Colonel Assumpico said the majority of the arrests resulted from vehicle stops for dangerous and/or aggressive driving. “We hope our enforcement efforts send a clear and convincing message to all motorists: Rhode Island State Police will do everything within its power to keep our roadways safe.” ELUDING

On May 11 at approximately 6 a.m., Patrolman Edward Gonzalez was on a fixed position at 1395 Atwood Ave. when he observed an Infinity traveling south make a left turn into the McDonald’s parking lot through a red traffic light. The car then pulled out of McDonald’s and turned right heading north on Atwood.

Officer Gonzalez then followed the suspect vehicle, and noticed that the car’s rear registration plate was covered by a piece of paper as to conceal the plate number. A traffic stop was then initiated, and the officer identified the driver as Bryan Lora Pena, 19, of 570 Privilege St., Apt. 2 in Woonsocket. Pena was unable to lower his driver side window, and told the officer that his daughter covered the plate while playing.

According to the report, the officer then approached the car’s passenger side and asked Pena to lower that window and produce a driver’s license. Pena then questioned the officer as to the reason for the stop and refused to provide a driver’s license. The officer noted that Pena began to appear nervous, and fearing that he would flee, Officer Gonzalez ran to the back of the vehicle and ripped off the paper taped to the license plate and made note of the number. At that time the suspect immediately sped away at a high rate of speed.

After returning to his cruiser Officer Gonzalez initiated a pursuit and began a radio broadcast. The suspect vehicle then continued east on Route 6 into Providence where it exited the Hartford Avenue off ramp and proceeded through a red light before heading back on Route 6 while swerving through traffic. The pursuit continued onto Route 10 south where the suspect took the Union Avenue exit and through another red light. The officer continued to follow as the car turned left through a red light onto Service Road. At that point, Officer Gonzalez terminated the chase because of the potential danger posed to the public.

Upon returning to headquarters, registration checks found a Woonsocket address tied to the number, and Pena was positively identified through cross agency checks with other police departments. His license was also found to be suspended. Pena was mailed a Municipal Court summons for obedience to traffic devices and display of plates. An arrest warrant was later issued for the charge of eluding a police officer.

On May 18 around 7:27 p.m., Pena voluntarily responded to police headquarters on the outstanding charges. He was then issued a Third District Court notice to appear for eluding a police officer and driving with a suspended license, second offence.

SHOPLIFTING

On Feb. 6 around 1:47 p.m., Officer Matthew Leveillee along with several members of the department responded to OPTX on Hartford Avenue in reference to a shoplifting of sunglasses from the business. The complainant advised that the suspect, described as a heavy-set white female with blonde hair wearing a black jacket, was last observed fleeing the scene on Hartford Avenue in a gray compact SUV.

At the scene, the officer met with the reporting party who stated the suspect checked in at the store and asked to view pairs of sunglasses. After a short time, employees believed that the woman was attempting to conceal the glasses. When confronted, the woman refused to return them and rushed out of the store towards the SUV. The glasses taken were estimated to be valued at $400. Surveillance footage along with the report were then forwarded to detectives for review.

On May 24 around 11:30 a.m., officers responded to the Providence Police Department to pick up Regina Thibedeau, 36, of 18 Willow Street in Providence, who had been identified as the suspect in the shoplifting and had been picked up by Providence Police on an outstanding warrant issued by Johnston Police. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed before being escorted to the Kent County Courthouse for arraignment. Her bail was set with surety at $2,000, and a no trespass order for OPTX was issued.

ASSAULT

Patrolman Matthew Leveillee along with several members of the police department and Johnston Fire Rescue responded to 20 Park St. in reference to an assault that had just occurred. At the scene they met with the two involved parties as well as witnesses.

Gail Barthelette, 59, of the above address, initially reported that an altercation had occurred, which escalated into a physical fight. She also stated that she suffered an abrasion on her left elbow during the incident.

The other party told officers that she was out walking her dog when she was approached by Barthelette, who “got in her face.” As the woman bent down to pick up her dog, she stated that Barthelette struck her on the right side of her face, knocking her down. According to the report, once the woman was on the ground, Barthelette continued her assault by repeatedly punching the woman on her face and body with closed fists and pulled her hair while banging her head into the ground. The woman sustained minor injuries which were photographed.

Witnesses on scene corroborated the victim’s story.

Barthelette was taken into custody without incident, and transported to police headquarters. She was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct. She was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Emili Vaziri and released on $1,000 personal recognizance with a June 5 court date. She was ordered to have no contact with the victim.