Police Log - 03/21/19

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

SHOPLIFTING

Detective Thomas M. Dwyer observed a man traveling east on Stone Hill Road pushing an orange Home Depot shopping cart full of Romex electrical wire on the afternoon of March 11.

Dwyer said he approached the man, later identified as Michael Robert Derosier, 25, of 195 Providence St., Putnam, Connecticut, and asked if he had purchased the items. Desrosier told him he had, and presented receipt dated earlier that morning. Another man, who Derosier identified as his younger brother, approached their location. After that point, the other man turned around and walked away from Dwyer. Despite Dwyer’s request for a response, the man continued to walk away.

Shortly after asking for another officer to assist him, Dwyer again asked Derosier if he purchased the items. He reportedly said, “No, I shoplifted them from the Home Depot.”

Capt. Christopher Correia was traveling in the area of Stone Hill Road and Atwood Avenue when he heard the call, at which time he found the second man running through the parking lot of Bon Asian Bistro. Correia said it appeared the man – later identified as Cody Joseph LeBeau, of 15 Fifth Ave., Webster, Massachusetts – was yelling with mouth and hand actions near the Stone Hill roadway in an attempt to communicate with someone else.

Correia asked for identification, but LeBeau said he didn't have any. He said his “brother” was speaking to someone, but didn't know who it was. Correia told him it was a detective, and again asked for an ID. LeBeau told Correia he didn't have identification or a wallet.

Correia asked him what he was doing on foot at the Johnston plaza when he comes from Webster, Massachusetts, to which he said he was “checking out Burlington Coat Factory.” Correia said a check on the name he provided came up negative for Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

It was later discovered the two men were not brothers, and that LeBeau said, “I just call him my bro, I don’t know what his name is. We just meet up around here.” Correia said that claim didn’t make sense because he did not have a cell phone and is from Webster. Correia said LeBeau became “increasingly agitated” with the police presence and repeatedly said, “I don’t have to talk to no police.”

LeBeau was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting, conspiracy and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty. He was additionally taken into custody on a bench warrant issued from Sixth Division District Court.

Derosier was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting and conspiracy. He was released on $1,000 personal recognizance until a Third Division District Court date set for March 25.

No trespass orders were issued for both men.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Officers Vanessa Wilcox and Remy Mendez were dispatched to East Woodhaven Drive on March 17 for a report of a woman calling 911 to say she was being followed.

The officers were advised that the vehicle contained a male operator and female passenger. The caller told 911 that she believed the vehicle had left the area, only to call back moments later saying it had returned.

Wilcox and Mendez arrived in the area to see a black Honda CRV tailgating a black Dodge Caravan. They initiated a traffic stop on the CRV on Bishop Hill Road. Wilcox then spoke to the driver, identified as Grey Anthony Withrow, 24, of 79 Bishop Hill Road, Johnston.

Police said Withrow told them that he and his passenger – identified as Natalia Sims, 22, of 27 Derby Lane, Cranston – were in the process contacting the police about a driver operating erratically in front of them. When Wilcox asked if they had exited their vehicle to approach the reporting party’s car, they “appeared nervous, looked down, and did not answer my question.”

The reporting party told Wilcox that she was driving east on Central Avenue when the black Honda CRV started to pull over to the side of the road. The reporting party tried to pass them but they slammed on their brakes to prevent her from doing so. As she passed, she saw Simas exit the vehicle. She turned on to Bishop Hill Road to lose them, when they began “aggressively tailgating” her.

She told police she turned on to Boulder Avenue, where the other vehicle passed her to block the roadway. The reporting party put her vehicle in reverse to flee the situation, at which time Simas and Withrow exited their vehicle and began pursuing her car on foot.

She later tried to hide on East Woodhaven Drive, but again police said she was found and they exited and ran toward her vehicle. Police said Withrow punched her vehicle on the passenger side twice before she reversed away again.

Both Withrow and Simas were charged with disorderly conduct. They were both later released with Third Division District Court summonses with a date set for March 25. DUI Patrolwoman Kayleigh T. Cooper was among the officers who responded to the report of an erratic operator striking a pole and fire hydrant at 51 Ashby St. on March 17.

The vehicle had severe front-end damage, and Cooper went to contact the operator, identified as Rebecca King, 45, of 63 Enfield St., Johnston. King approached Cooper, who allegedly “stated that she was sorry and that she had been drinking, made a mistake by driving and crashed her vehicle.” Cooper reports she detected the strong odor of alcohol and noticed King had a flushed face and bloodshot eyes. Johnston Fire Department responded to treat minor injuries to King’s mouth.

King performed a series of field sobriety tests, but Cooper said she had difficult keeping balance and focus. Cooper said King was repeating, “I drank too much honey, I made a mistake.”

King was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

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Rhode Island State Police charged Alexander Lonardo, 24, of 716 Central Ave., Johnston with driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, first offense, BAC of .08 to .10. Police said Lonardo was stopped for speeding on I-95 South in Warwick at around 2 a.m. Sunday morning. He was also issued a citation for speeding.

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