Police Log

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HATE CRIMES

On June 6 at around 7:50 p.m., Carolyn Ann Tartaglia, 50, of 31 Boundary Ave. in Johnston, was placed under arrest for alleged simple assault and disorderly conduct, with both offenses being charged as hate crimes.

According to police reports, members of the third watch responded to 31 Boundary Ave. for a report of a disturbance taking place at the residence. At the scene, officers were met by numerous parties between the duplex apartments of 29 and 31 Boundary Ave. Officers noticed that the screen door of 31 Boundary Ave. was torn and pushed out, and hanging outward toward the exterior of the residence.

Officers first spoke with Tartaglia, who stated that she had been having reoccurring issues with her neighbors and had numerous arguments with them during the past few weeks. She stated that the neighbors were on the stairs talking “trash” when she yelled at them to go inside. Tartaglia then told officers that one of the two women standing on the front stairs of the residence punched through the screen door attempting to strike her while she was in her residence. She also stated that she was yelling out the window at them aggressively while their children were playing in the yard because they were too loud.

The other involved parties were then approached for their version of events. They stated that they were sitting on the shared stairway when Tartaglia opened the door and began yelling at them for no reason, and an argument began. A neighbor attempted to intervene, at which time Tartaglia punched her left fist through the storm door, which pushed the screen out while attempting to strike one of the women in the face, however she did not make contact. According to the complainant, Tartaglia then proceeded to spit through the broken screen, which hit one of the other parties.

According to the complainants, Tartaglia was yelling racial slurs at them during some of the incidents that day.

Officers then approached Tartaglia in an attempt to obtain a clearer version of events. She then became more irate while attempting to explain, and continued to utter, “I have had enough of ‘em.” Officers observed a fresh cut on her left forearm. When asked about the injury, she told officers she got cut while getting her eyebrows tattooed two days prior. Officers observed that the wound was fresh and continued questioning, but Tartaglia had no other answer.

Based upon the investigation of the evidence on scene, it was concluded that the screen on the storm door had been pushed outwards from within the residence. Along with the fresh cut and Tartaglia’s inconsistent account of the incident, she was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.

Tartaglia was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Lazieh and released on $1,000 personal recognizance with a July 12 District Court date for the above charges. She was ordered to have no contact with the victims in the case.

FLED FROM CAR

On June 7 around 10:14 a.m., Sergeant Stephen Altomari was in the area of 1025 Plainfield St. when he observed a white Infinity traveling east with its hazard lights activated. A DMV check revealed that the car’s plates should be affixed to a gold Honda and were not actively registered.

A traffic stop was attempted, however as the officer was catching up to the vehicle, it came to an abrupt stop and a male fled on foot from the passenger’s side. Sergeant Altomari detained the vehicle and operator at the scene and broadcast a description and direction of the fleeing suspect.

Officers of the second watch assisted with the fleeing passenger, and set up a parameter in the area. The man was soon seen heading east on Pocasset Street, and was chased by officers. Patrolman David Galligan pursued and took the suspect to the ground. After a brief struggle the suspect was detained and handcuffed.

The man identified himself as Felix J. Cortes, however he did not have any identification to verify his identity. He was transported to police headquarters, and after processing his fingerprints it was revealed that the man used an alias. Joelle Garcia, 19, of 1258 Plainfield St. in Johnston. Two active Superior Court full warrants were found. He was additionally charged with obstructing an officer in execution of duty, and resisting legal or illegal arrest.

The driver of the car, Awilda Herrera, 25, of the same address, was found to have a suspended license. A search of court records found this to be her second offense. She was arrested and released from the scene with a Third District Court notice, as well as a citation for the registration violations. The car was then towed from the scene.

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