Police Log

Warwick Beacon ·

BANDIT’S BICYCLE GETAWAY

Officer Aaron Steere and other officers were dispatched to the Kohl’s department store at Rhode Island Mall on November 19 at approximately 5:13 for a report of a shoplifting in progress.

Dispatch advised the officers the store’s loss prevention team was watching a male who had concealed several pairs of shoes on his person and the suspect was about to leave the store with the items he had not purchased.

Officers staged the area. Shortly thereafter, the subject exited the store and rode his bicycle westbound towards Bald Hill Road. Officers took the suspect, identified as Eric Girard, 32, of 433 Hunt Street in Central Falls, into custody without incident.

Background checks revealed Girard had three outstanding warrants, one for failure to appear for payment schedule based on a felony shoplifting charge from the Pawtucket Police Department, another failure to appear for a felony shoplifting charge from the Cumberland Police, and a third shoplifting charge from the North Providence Police.

A search of Girard revealed three pairs of sneakers with a retail value of $194.97 tucked into his shirt and jacket. Store personnel provided officers with a written statement, a receipt of the items, and a photo of the merchandise.

Girard was arrested and transported to police headquarters. Based on his past criminal history, he was charged with one count of felony shoplifting and one count of habitual offender shoplifting. RUN TO THE BORDER

A driver who tried to make a late night run to Taco Bell was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

On November 24 at approximately 1:32 a.m., a traffic stop initiated by Officer Harris was conducted in the area of 1000 Bald Hill Road.

Arriving on scene for backup, Officer Kay observed that a black Volkswagen Jetta had been stopped. Officer Harris said he was traveling southbound when he observed the vehicle headed northbound on Bald Hill Road traveling at 58 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. He observed the car swerve to the left and then cross the center line, then swerve to the right and cross over the white dotted line.

Officer Kay made contact with the operator, identified as Nathan Robbins, 27, of 156 Seneca Avenue in Pawtucket. Robbins told the officer that he was heading from his house to Taco Bell, stating that he had recently moved to the area but still received his mail at the Pawtucket address.

During the conversation, Officer Kay detected a strong odor of alcohol and noted Robbins’ eyes were bloodshot and watery and that he spoke in a slurred manor. Officer Kay asked him if he would participate in a series of standardized sobriety tests, to which he agreed. During the tests, Robbins admitted to having a couple of drinks and stated that he “was fine.”  He said he had just taken a nap, wanted to get some Taco Bell and go home.

Based on the vehicle in motion description, Officer Kay’s contact with Robbins, and his poor performance during the sobriety tests, it was determined that he was unfit to safely operate a motor vehicle. Robbins’ vehicle was towed, and he was handcuffed and transported to police headquarters, where he later refused a chemical breathalyzer test.

Robbins had a previous charge of refusal to submit to a chemical breathalyzer test in 2014, where another DUI charge had been dismissed, although he was convicted for the refusal. He was issued a summons for driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a chemical test, second offense within five years, speeding, and laned roadway violations. He was later released to a sober adult. LARCENY

A real estate broker assigned to sell a property on Humes Avenue met with Officer Rose Michel at police headquarters on November 16 for a report of a larceny from the residence.

The property, owned by Housing Urban Development (HUD), was inspected on July 25, which showed an air conditioning unit was attached to the home and in working condition. After the property was assigned to the broker to be sold, the property was inspected again and the unit was missing. The broker contacted HUD about the incident, and the department stated that they would like to press charges.

The broker stated he would provide police with a make, model and serial number for the unit at a later date. Currently, there are no suspects or witnesses. SHOPLIFTING

On November 23 around 4:23 p.m., Officers Manuel Pacheco and Jonathan Reiff were dispatched to the Meadowbrook Plaza Stop & Shop for a report of shoplifting with a female suspect in custody.

Arriving on scene, the officers met with the store’s loss prevention personnel, who stated that they observed a woman, later identified as Stacie Godinez, 43, of 2057 Post Road in Warwick, select several items from throughout the store and place them into a carriage.

Godinez was then seen pushing the carriage past the floral department and all other points of sale and exiting the store without paying. She was then stopped by store security and escorted back into the store.

A woman with Godinez left the store and went outside to get their vehicle. She was also observed but the store did not wish to file a complaint against her.

The total value of the goods recovered was $177.82, and the store provided officers with an itemized list of the merchandise. Godinez was arrested, placed in handcuffs, and transported to police headquarters. She was fingerprinted, photographed and processed before being released with a court summons for one count of misdemeanor shoplifting. SUSPENDED LICENSE

Officer Thomas Greene was on routine patrol on November 19 around 3:12 a.m. when he observed a gray Honda Civic traveling westbound on West Shore Road with a display of plates violation. A traffic stop was initiated at the intersection of Baywood Street and Morse Avenue.

Officer Green then met with the driver, identified as Nicholas Urso, 20, of 25 Tanglewood Drive, Apartment 4, West Warwick, who stated that he was not sure where his license was at the time and presented a school ID. Upon running a background check, it was determined that Urso’s license was suspended.

Urso was issued a summons for driving with a suspended license and a citation for display of registration plates. The vehicle was driven from the scene by a licensed driver who was a passenger at the time.  STOLEN PHONE

A Citizens Bank patron who left his cell phone at the branch inside the Meadowbrook Stop & Shop returned to find the phone missing.

The victim visited Warwick Police Department headquarters on November 15 and met with Officer Albert Marano to file a report. There, he told the officer that he was at the bank branch and left his phone, an iPhone 5 valued at $150, behind. When he returned to his truck he realized the phone was missing and returned within a short time to learn that the phone was gone.

The victim’s wife received a phone call the day before from a woman who said she bought the phone on Craigslist and when she turned it on it stated that the phone was stolen and to call the number provided. The victim went to Kent Hospital to meet with the woman as she said she lived near there, but she never showed up.

Currently, there are no suspects or witnesses, but an investigation is ongoing.