Police Log - 10/17/19

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

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

On the evening of Oct. 12, Patrolman Derrick Palazzo responded to a call to assist Rhode Island State Police with a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident in which a vehicle struck a median and continued traveling.

Dispatch advised that the vehicle had last been seen traveling on Pine Hill Avenue toward Putnam Pike. Palazzo was traveling on Greenville Avenue when he observed a vehicle fitting the description traveling toward Pine Hill. He said he was also flagged down by the original reporting party, who screamed, “That’s him!” Palazzo turned around and lost sight of the vehicle, but he was able to obtain the registration plate when it first passed him.

He began searching the area before eventually draining the vehicle on Greenville Avenue, identifying the operator as Vincent Tallo Jr., 30, 12 Poppy Hill Road, Johnston. Palazzo said Tallo was visibly nervous and continually stuttered his words while placing his hand inside his hooded sweatshirt pocket numerous times, after Palazzo had asked him not to make such movements.

Palazzo observed a large window-break-type hammer and a small steak knife rising by his feet, slighting under the driver’s side seat. Palazzo asked Tallo to exit his vehicle, and as he did he placed both of his hands inside his hooded sweatshirt and his pants pockets. Palazzo performed a frisk/pat-down to ensure he possessed no weapons, and as he placed his hands on his arms he tightened them and prevented Palazzo from placing his hands behind his back. Palazzo noted that Tallo was pulling away and trying to reach inside his pockets.

Tallo was taken to the ground, Palazzo said, and a brief struggle ensued. Palazzo said Tallo disregarded commands to stop resisting and was eventually taken into custody with the assistance of several other officers on scene. Palazzo said there was a small pocket knife just under 3 inches inside of Tallo’s right pocket.

Tallo was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was transported to headquarters, where he awaited his arraignment.

FALSE REPORT

Amanda Elizabeth Van Pelt, 31, 37 Oneida St., Johnston, responded to Johnston Police headquarters the afternoon of Oct. 11 to turn herself in on an active arrest warrant for a charge of making a false report of a crime.

Van Pelt was released with a Third Division District Court summons for Oct. 21. Her arrest stemmed from an alleged incident the afternoon of Oct. 7 at the above address when Patrolman Michael A. Protano responded to a report of a stolen motor vehicle.

Protano said Van Pelt advised that she had been home since Saturday night, Oct. 5, but did not notice that her vehicle was stolen until Monday, Oct. 7. Protano said Van Pelt told him that she left the vehicle in the driveway and the keys “must have been inside.” Protano said she was positive she did not have the keys.

Protano noted in his report that he asked Van Pelt several times if the information she provided was factual, to which she stated yes. Later during his shift, Protano said he performed a cross-agency check on Van Pelt and saw she was arrested by the Cumberland Police Department on Oct. 6. Cumberland Police advised Protano that Van Pelt was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct the morning of Oct. 6 and that the vehicle was left in the roadway in Cumberland as a result.

Cumberland Police responded back to the location and awaited Northeast Towing. The vehicle was towed to headquarters and tagged as evidence. At that time, Protano believed that Van Pelt knowingly provided a false written statement and reported a crime that did not happen to Johnston Police.

Protano attempted to return to the residence, but Van Pelt had been dropped off at an unknown location in North Providence. Assistant Detective Cmdr. Megan E. Boule requested an arrest warrant for Van Pelt the morning of Oct. 9.

WARRANT

On the night of Oct. 9, Patrolman David Galligan observed a vehicle with its rear window tinted traveling on Hartford Avenue.

Galligan detained the vehicle and spoke with the operator, before the passenger was identified as Craig Hutley, 37, 70 Linwood Drive, Providence. A check revealed that Hutley was wanted on two active Superior Court bench warrants stemming from a domestic simple assault charge from the Newport Police Department. Hutley was transported to headquarters, processed and taken to Superior Court.