On December 30 at approximately 10:43 a.m., Patrolman Michael Martufi Jr. was dispatched to the Citizens Bank inside the Stop & Shop on Commerce Way for a robbery. Also called to the scene for assistance were Captain Norato, Lieutenant Salvadore, Patrolman Parascandolo and Patrolman Windsor.
Officer Martufi was on Atwood Avenue when the call came in and arrived on scene moments after the call. As he approached the store he checked for a suspect, which communication personnel had advised was a white male wearing a beige coat, a toque hat and a scarf, but no one matching the description was found. The suspect passed a letter to the bank teller stating he had a gun, although none was actually shown.
After entering the building, the officer met with the Citizens Bank supervisor along with the teller. Upon questioning them, he learned that the suspect approached the counter with the scarf over his face and gave the teller his handwritten note. According to the report, that note stated that the suspect would shoot if he wasn’t handed all of the $50 and $100 bills.
Believing her life was in danger, the teller handed an assortment of cash to the suspect, who then said it wasn’t enough money and she would be shot if she didn’t provide more. The teller stated that she didn’t have any more to give, and was again told she would be shot if more money wasn’t handed over. The teller then handed some $20 bills. While the teller wasn’t sure how much the suspect obtained, and an exact amount would be determined later once inventory was conducted, it was estimated that he made off with just under $3,000. The suspect then took his note back and walked away with the money.
Officer Martufi was then shown surveillance video and noted the incident occurred at 10:35. He observed the suspect was a white male, approximately 20 to 30 years old, with a slim build and an approximate height of 5’10”. He also noted that the man had noticeable acne on the parts of his face that were visible, and that his hat had a Spider-Man logo on the front. Nearby communities were then notified, and patrol units canvassed the area for the suspect. Detectives then responded to the scene to process evidence and conduct further investigations.
On January 5 around 12:30 p.m., Lenin Gutierrez, 39, of 8 Beverly Street in Cranston, voluntarily responded to Johnston Police Headquarters after observing his picture displayed on the department’s Facebook page regarding the robbery investigation. He was advised of his rights and questions. As a result of the interrogation and other physical evidence linking him to the crime, Gutierrez was charged with second-degree robbery, processed and held pending arraignment.
While stopped at the intersection of Leading and Killingly Streets on January 4 around 5:40 p.m., Patrolman Michael Protano observed Stephen Graziano, 52, of 6 Patricia Drive in Johnston, traveling south on Killingly Street. According to his report, Officer Protano knew from prior contact with Graziano that he did not currently have a driver’s license and that he was wanted by Third District Court for failure to appear for payment from a charge stemming out of Johnston for driving without a license.
After conducting a traffic stop, Graziano was advised of the reason for the stop and taken into custody without incident. He was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and given a Third District Court summons for driving without a license, third offense.
A suspect in a nearly three-year-old hit and run accident was recently arrested for the outstanding charges.
On January 24, 2014 around 6:40 p.m., officers responded to the 1700 area of Plainfield Street in reference to a hit and run accident to an attended vehicle. Upon arrival they met with the victim, who stated that her car had been rear-ended by a black pickup truck with Connecticut license plates. Both vehicles stopped and a man exited the truck and approached the victim. He then stated he needed to return to his truck to obtain paperwork, and then fled the scene without providing any identification or checking to see if there were injuries.
Checks at the time revealed that the truck’s license plate was registered to Paul J. Soscia, who was 52 at the time, of 10 Bailey Hill Road in Danielson, Conn. According to the report, his Rhode Island driver’s license was suspended and his Connecticut license was active. The victim was later shown a photo line-up and was able to positively identify Soscia as the individual involved in the accident. An arrest warrant was issued for Soscia on charges of duty to stop in an accident resulting in personal injury and operating under foreign license during suspension.
On December 31, 2016, Paul Soscia was arrested by Rhode Island State Police and turned over to the Johnston Police Department in reference to the active warrant. Soscia, now 55, with a given address of 102 Wilcomb Road in Johnston, was processed and secured in a cell. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace John McCaffrey. No plea was entered and a court date was scheduled for March. Soscia was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.
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