Police Log

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

ROAD RAGE

Officer Matthew Winsor responded to 2119 Hartford Avenue on October 7 in reference to a road rage incident that became physical. At the scene he spoke with the victim, who stated that he and his girlfriend were traveling north on Route 295 when they took exit 6C to Hartford Avenue. The man said that as he exited onto Hartford Avenue westbound he cut off a Nissan Pathfinder.

As the victim continued to travel west on Hartford Avenue in the right lane, the gold Nissan Pathfinder passed him on the left side and pulled directly in front of him and cut him off. The Nissan then came to an abrupt stop and the victim quickly applied his breaks before striking the Nissan. The complainant then stated that the operator of the Pathfinder, a black male in his mid to late 30s, 5’7” tall and weighing around 170 pounds with a goatee and a white muscle shirt exited the vehicle and approached.

While the victim was still in his driver’s seat, the suspect began yelling at him through the front driver’s side window about cutting him off. The victim told the officer that the suspect then punched him on the left side of the face with a closed right fist and continued to yell at him before returning to his vehicle and fleeing from the scene. The victim then called police, and told the officer that he could positively identify the suspect if he saw him again and wished to pursue criminal charges. The victim refused medical attention at the scene. A witness also contacted the police department and corroborated the victim’s account.

A check through the RI DMV revealed that the plate number provided and the gold Nissan Pathfinder belonged to Terryl Mazon, 46, of 4 Carver Court in Providence. The case was then forwarded to department detectives. Detectives on October 12 then showed the victim a photographic lineup of suspects to the victim. A warrant was later issued for Mazon’s arrest.

On October 18, several Johnston officers responded to the Burrilville Police Department, who had Mazon in their custody. He was transported to Johnston Police Headquarters, where he was processed and charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

POSSESSION

While traveling east on Plainfield Street on October 18 around 6:10 p.m., Officer Kevin Brady observed a car with its rear passenger side tail lamp and brake light out. A traffic stop was then conducted in the area of 920 Plainfield Street.

According to the police report the Massachusetts license plate on the vehicle belonged to another type of car than the one it was attached to. Officer Brady made contact with the driver, identified as Carlos Zabaleta, 30, of 34 Merino Street, Apt. 1 in Providence. Zabeleta told the officer that he had purchased the vehicle earlier in the day but did not have a title or bill of sale. Background checks on Zabeleta also revealed that his license had been suspended, and that he had several narcotics arrests.

Due to the prior drug arrests, a Rhode Island State Police K-9 unit was dispatched to the scene. An inventory search was conducted, which produced 11.7 grams of suspected marijuana, which tested positive according to field tests that were conducted. Zabeleta’s vehicle was then towed from the scene, he was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters.

Zabeleta was charged with driving with a suspended license third offense, operating an unregistered vehicle, possession of marijuana first offense, and taillights required. He was later released with a court summons.

INTENT TO DEFRAUD

A suspect who was wanted for not returning a rental vehicle was recently apprehended by Johnston Police.

On August 4 at approximately 3 p.m., Officer Edward Gonzalez responded to Curreri Collision for a report of a larceny. There he met with a reporting party who stated on March 9 he rented a 2014 Nissan Sentra to Eric Vargas, 28, of 27 Pemberton Street in Providence. According to the complainant, Vargas dropped his own vehicle off to be serviced and was given the Nissan as a loaner vehicle with instructions that the car was to be returned within 20 days. When the vehicle was not returned, numerous attempts over several weeks were made to contact Vargas without success. Curreri Collision indicated that they wished to pursue a criminal complaint.

The police report indicates that Vargas had no interest in picking up his own vehicle as it was being repossessed by the bank. Officers attempted to locate Vargas in August without success. A warrant for his arrest was then drawn. Eventually the vehicle was located in Providence, but Vargas was not yet found.

On October 18, Johnston Police Officers responded to the Central Falls Police Department, who had detained Vargas. He was then transported to Johnston Police Headquarters and charged with obtaining a vehicle with intent to defraud. He was placed in a holding cell and held for arraignment.