Police Log

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

RECKLESS DRIVING

On May 1 around 6:30 p.m., Patrolmen Merrick Cook and Kevin Brady were patrolling Killingly Street near Ruth Street when they observed a black Honda Accord with no front license plate traveling on Killingly Street. The officers activated their overhead lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, at which time the suspect vehicle abruptly turned right without signaling onto Oakdale Avenue.

Officers followed the car as it continued at a high rate of speed without signaling or stopping as it proceeded onto Sunnyside Drive and Lucia Street before abruptly stopping at the intersection of Carl Street with its wheels to the curb. Officer Cook stopped his cruiser directly behind the vehicle, exited and approached the suspect car. While walking towards the vehicle, the driver opened his door and immediately exited. He was then taken into custody and placed in the rear of the cruiser.

The front seat passenger remained inside the vehicle, and when she was asked to exit she complied and stated, “I don’t know why he tried to run.” She told the officer that both she and the driver, who was later identified as Yefri Cepeda, 19, of 590 Lonsdale Ave., Apt. 3 in Central Falls, both resided in that town and that he had just bought the vehicle.

Cepeda provided a different name to Officer Brady when he was asked. Background checks revealed that he had no license on file and a Superior Court warrant for failure to appear at an arraignment on a charge of carrying a pistol/revolver without a license. The vehicle’s one license plate had an expired registration and belonged to a different vehicle and owner. When officers asked Cepeda for his name again, he remained silent.

A search of the vehicle produced a wallet containing a R.I. Identification card with the name Yefri Cepeda, who then admitted the card was his.

The female passenger was released at the scene, and the Honda was towed. Cepeda was placed in handcuffs and transported to police headquarters, where he was processed. He was charged with reckless driving/eluding police, obstruction of police, driving without a license, failure to use a turn signal, improper display of plates, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and improper use of registration.

DUTY TO STOP

While on routine patrol on May 1 around 8:38 p.m., Patrolman Merrick Cook observed a car that failed to stop at the intersection of Traver and Hedley Avenues, and conducted a traffic stop. Upon speaking with the driver, identified as Eder Alvarez, 31, of 385 Woonasquatucket Ave., Apt. F in North Providence, the officer learned that Alvarez was not the registered owner of the car.

A background check was conducted, which revealed that Alvarez had a suspended license. He was issued a court summons for obedience to stop signs and issued a Third District Court notice to appear for operating on a suspended license. Alvarez’s car was towed, and he was released at the scene.

WARRANT

At 10:46 p.m. on April 22, the Pawtucket Police Department sent communications personnel a “be on the lookout” message for a male party wanted for simple assault and disorderly conduct. Patrolman Adam Parkinson, along with Sgt. Joseph McGinn and Det. Thomas Dwyer responded to 34 Linwood Drive in reference to locating the suspect, identified as Gilmar Aguilar, 41, of the above address.

At the scene they met with Aguilar, who was apprehended on the active warrant without incident and transported to headquarters where he was processed. Gilmar was secured in a cell pending retrieval by the Pawtucket Police Department.

OBSTRUCTION

Officer Adam Parkinson was on a fixed patrol in the area of 985 Hartford Ave. on April 28 around 6:39 p.m. when he observed a grey 2002 Honda traveling west. After conducting a routine check on the car’s registration, it was revealed that the license plates should have been affixed to a brown 2005 Nissan.

A traffic stop was initiated in the parking lot of Auto Zone, where he met with the driver, later identified as Luis Gasparico, 31, of 109 Ford St., Apt. 3 in Providence. He was able to provide valid paperwork for the vehicle, but was unable to furnish a license or identification card.

According to the report, Gasparico originally provided a false name, and background checks were unable to locate any information on the name provided. Gasparico, wile providing the false name, stated that he had been arrested in the past for operating a vehicle without a license. The officer repeatedly questioned Gasparico concerning the authenticity of his name, and advised him that he was going to be taken into custody and transported to police headquarters. Only then did Gasparico provide the correct information.

Background checks on the correct name revealed that Gasparico had two outstanding District Court bench warrants, one for failure to appear for a driving under the influence charge from the Coventry Police Department and the other for a simple assault charge from the Providence Police Department. His license was also suspended.

Gasparico was issued a summons for improper use of evidence of registration, driving on a suspended license, and obstruction of an officer.