Police Log

Police seek suspect’s ID in use of stolen credit cards

The public’s help is being sought to identify a suspect in the use of stolen credit cards at various locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

According to Johnston police, several vehicles were rummaged through on the night of Sept. 7 in the area of Shore and Hilltop drives. On the morning of Sept. 8, a suspect used cards stolen from those vehicles to purchase hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise at the Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart in Seekonk, Mass. A stolen card was later used in Providence, and attempts were made to use it at the Home Depot in Westerly and the Lowe’s in Plainville, Mass.

Police have circulated an image of the suspect taken from surveillance video, along with the following description: “Surveillance footage from these stores depicts the suspect arriving in a late model white Chevrolet Astro Van. The suspect was wearing a hat and long sleeves to help conceal his identity. He also pretends to be constantly viewing his cellular phone to mask his head being down.”

The suspect is also believed to be tied to other, similar crimes in Rhode Island, including the use of a stolen credit card at a Walgreens in Johnston.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity is asked to contact Detective Thomas Dwyer at 401-757-3158 or Detective Mark Bairos at 401-757-3120.

Theft victims asked to contact police

Police are asking residents in the area of Primrose and Paradise lanes to come forward with information on any missing items following the arrest of theft suspects in Foster.

According to police, a suspicious van was seen in the area during the early morning hours of Sept. 21. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it was able to get away.

A subsequent pursuit ended with the vehicle being stopped in Foster, and the arrest of its operator and two passengers. They were found in possession of items reported stolen from unsecured vehicles on Primrose Lane.

Anyone who may have had items stolen is asked to make a report to police at 401-231-4210.

Fiery crash in Cranston leaves one dead

An investigation remains ongoing following a fiery early-morning crash in Cranston over the weekend that left one person dead.

Police received reports of a crash and a vehicle on fire in the area of 550 Pontiac Ave. just before 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 17, according to a statement from Maj. Todd Patalano.

An investigation is said to have determined the vehicle – a red 2004 GMC Envoy – had been traveling northbound at speeds the major described as “well in excess of 90 mph” when it failed to negotiate the road’s curve, struck a traffic control signal pole and a cement block wall, and became consumed in flames.

The vehicle’s operator is believed to have been the sole occupant. Responders were initially unable to get near the vehicle due to the intensity of the flames and temperature and subsequent small explosions, according to Patalano.

As of Wednesday, police had not publicly identified the victim. Patalano said positive identification was unknown pending an autopsy and investigation on the part of the state medical examiner.

“This is a very difficult and tragic incident handled by our first responding officers and investigators,” Patalano said through his statement. “We express our deepest sympathy to the family of the deceased occupant.”

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Sgt. Brian D’Amico at 401-942-2211.