Police Log - 01/15-19

Warwick Beacon ·

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

On January 5 at approximately 12:40 p.m., Officer Randy Bell was on routine patrol on Main Avenue at the traffic light to turn left onto Post Road. There he observed a vehicle traveling westbound on Main Avenue approaching the light, which did not slow down for a red light. The vehicle then made an abrupt stop, and the officer eventually positioned his cruiser to follow.

While following behind the vehicle for more than half a mile, the officer reported that he clocked the driver traveling at 47 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. During that time, the driver changed lanes from the left to the right and back again three times.

A traffic stop was conducted near the intersection of East Avenue at Greenwich Avenue. Officer Bell then made contact with the driver, identified as Brian Arnold, 49, of 35 Gadoury Avenue Apt. 15 in Coventry, and observed empty beer cans in the rear bed of his truck. The officer observed signs of intoxication in Arnold, and detected the smell of alcohol on his breath. When asked for his insurance card, Arnold handed the officer his Delta Dental card.

Arnold allegedly told the officer that he was coming from a friend’s house where he had a couple of beers. When asked how many he consumed, Arnold reportedly said “a lot.” He then agreed to partake in a standardized field sobriety test. During the testing, Arnold told the officer “I know I’m drunk. There’s no point.”

Due to the statements he made, and the officer’s training and experience, Arnold was taken into custody for suspicion of driving under the influence and transported to police headquarters. His vehicle was searched, which produced multiple empty beer cans, and the car was towed from the scene. At the station, Arnold refused to take a chemical breathalyzer test.

He was charged with speeding, no insurance, driving under the influence second offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical breathalyzer test. He was later picked up by his wife.

STOLEN PHONE

At approximately 7:45 a.m. on January 4, Officer Robert Canis-Langlais met with an Opal Court resident at police headquarters for a larceny repot. The woman told the officer that she went to her vehicle at approximately 6:50 a.m. to find that the belongings inside had been scattered about the interior and appeared to have been broken into.

Taken from the vehicle was her work iPhone, valued at $500, and approximately $10 in quarters. There are currently no suspects or witnesses.

STOLEN CONVERTER

Officer Cody Wild was dispatched to Magic Years Child Care on January 7 for a larceny report. There he met with the owner and an employee, who told him that the catalytic converter was stolen from one of their vans.

When they attempted to start their vehicle in the morning it made a strange noise. They then checked under the vehicle to find that the converter was cut out. The van was parked on the side of the business for the weekend, and the owner said it had been stolen from her business in May of 2018. The case was forwarded to detectives for review.

FUGITIVE

On January 6 at approximately 4:58 p.m., Officer Ali Jaafar was traveling northbound on Warwick Avenue when he observed a black Honda Accord weaving in its lane that crossed the double yellow line on two occasions. A traffic stop was then conducted just over the city line in Cranston.

Contact was made with the driver, identified as Ever Balmaceda, 34, of 72 Corinth Street in Providence, who presented an international license. Upon running a background check, it was discovered that Balmaceda had an outstanding warrant out of Broward County in Florida that was fully extraditable. The officer confirmed with Balmaceda that he did live in Florida and that he was involved in an auto theft investigation.

Dispatch confirmed the warrant with Broward County and they advised that they would like him to be taken into custody. Balmaceda was then placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters while his vehicle was towed from the scene. Balmaceda then waited to appear in front of the bail commissioner in order to be transported to the ACI to await pick up by the Broward County Sheriff Department. SHOPLIFTING

Officer Derek Mourato and Detective Ted Bulis were dispatched to the Bald Hill Road Macy’s on January 2 at approximately 8:35 p.m. for a shoplifting report.

At the store they met with a loss prevention associate who had a man, identified as Steven Weidinger, 46, of 20 Zambarano Avenue Apt. 103 in North Providence, in custody. Weidinger had reportedly been observed removing merchandise from hangers and placing it in his bag in various departments. He then passed all points of sale without paying and exited the store. Weidinger was then approached by security outside and brought back into the store.

Back inside the store, a total of $288.38 worth of merchandise was recovered. Security informed the officers that they wished to press charges and have a no trespass order issued against Weidinger. He was then taken into custody and transported to police headquarters.

The report indicated that Weidinger admitted to the officer that he stole the merchandise because of the holidays and that he was having a tough time financially. He was given a Third District Court summons to appear for misdemeanor shoplifting.

POSSESSION

On January 4 at approximately 7:52 p.m. Sergeant John Curley was on routine patrol traveling south on Warwick Avenue in the area of Datuon Avenue when he clocked a vehicle with radar traveling 60 miles per hour headed northbound.

The officer then turned around and attempted to catch up with the vehicle, which made an abrupt right turn onto Magnolia Street without using a turn signal. Continuing to follow the vehicle, the officer ultimately caught up with the car after it abruptly pulled into the parking lot at the West Shore Health Center on West Shore Road. There, the driver pulled into a parking spot and immediately exited the vehicle.

Sergeant Curley then engaged the operator, identified as Gilbert Nunez, 25, of 1 Miner Street in Providence, and told him several times to put his hands in the air. Nunez reportedly replied that he was tired of being stopped. Due to his erratic behavior and his attempt to avoid being stopped, Nunex was placed into handcuffs as backup arrived.

While speaking with Nunez, Sergent Curley reported that he detected the smell of burned marijuana and asked Nunez if there was any in the car. Nunez allegedly stated that there was, and a search of the vehicle produced a plastic pack with a substance believed to be marijuana.

Nunez was eventually released from the scene with a summons charging him with speeding, turn signal required, and possession of marijuana.