Police Log - 10/10/19

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

DUI

Patrolman Nicholas A. Manocchio was dispatched to the intersection of Hartford Avenue and Hopkins Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle accident the evening of Oct. 4.

Upon arrival, Manocchio said Johnston Fire Department personnel were speaking with the operator of the second vehicle, identified as Joseph Cruso, 54, 17 Bishop Hill Road, Johnston. Manocchio said Cruso was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words as he spoke, and he also complained of chest discomfort following the accident.

Cruso was asked to walk to the rear of the ambulance, which Manocchio said was about 20 feet away. He observed that Cruso was unsteady on his feet and stumbled over two times. He also almost fell up the three-stepped tier and needed guidance and support from his back to ensure he didn’t fall backward.

Manocchio said during a field interview, Cruso displayed droopy eyelids, bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech and had a flushed face. Cruso is said to have acknowledged consuming alcohol earlier in the day and told police he was driving home to eat pizza.

During the interview, Manocchio said, there was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Cruso’s mouth. He refused to submit to any standardized field sobriety testing. Based on the interview, Manocchio said, he determined that Cruso was impaired and unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. He was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Manocchio said there were two empty Fireball shots and one 12-ounce can of Bud Light behind the rear passenger seat.

Cruso was later released from the hospital with a Third Division District Court summons to appear Oct. 21 on a charge of driving under the influence. He was also mailed a citation for refusal to submit to a chemical test.

EXPIRED LICENSE

Patrolman Arthur Petteruti was on patrol the morning of Sept. 27 in the area of 1200 Hartford Ave. when he observed a car without a front registration plate affixed.

Petteruti detained the vehicle and spoke with the operator – Anika N. Lucas, 46, 33 Silver Lake Ave., Providence. A Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles check revealed that Lucas’ license had expired, as well as her registration.

A BCI check showed that Lucas had two prior convictions for driving with a suspended/revoked/cancelled license. Lucas received a Third Division District Court summons for Oct. 7.