Johnston Police Log

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

ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON

Patrolman Adam Parkinson and several other officers responded to the Bel-Air Motor Inn on the evening of Aug. 5 in reference to identifying a possible suspect from an assault with a deadly weapon earlier in the day.

Parkinson said he and the officers spoke to the alleged victim, who said that the suspect had returned and was in the room next door. Parkinson said they were greeted by a woman and a man – who was identified as Erick Perez, 34, 12 Huxley Ave., Providence – and the latter was immediately separated and removed from the room. Parkinson wrote that, at that point, the officers inquired as to what happened earlier in the morning.

Parkinson said Perez continually replied, “Nothing,” referring to the victim who identified him as the suspect who assaulted her in the morning. Officers later asked about a knife, which Perez said was either in his room or a vehicle. It was later located in a vehicle and confiscated. Perez was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon or substance and breaking and entering a dwelling or house without consent. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault or battery and disorderly conduct.

As the officers were walking away, Parkinson said they noticed a party loudly whispering “Jay” into the woods toward the rear of the property, at which point Jeremiah Tremblay, 32, 2154 Hartford Ave., Johnston, appeared.

A check showed an active Superior Court full bench warrant stemming from a possession of a schedule I-V arrest by Rhode Island State Police.

Perez’s arrest stemmed from an incident earlier that morning, when patrolman Christopher Rotella was dispatched to the motel for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arrival, Rotella said he spoke with a resident whose name was redacted. Rotella noted that she said that during the ensuing argument, Perez made his way into her room. She said he forcefully pushed the door open, and once inside the apartment he pushed her to the ground and threatened her with what she described as a small, serrated pocket knife.

Rotella said the woman was unable to provide more details on the knife, but said the man held it out toward her threatened her by saying, “I have no problem hitting a girl, I’ll [expletive] stab you.” The woman said she was in fear for her life and could positively identify the man if she saw him again.

SUSPENDED LICENSE

Patrolman Thomas Hayden responded to the area of Charter Street early on the morning of July 25 for a report of a male party banging on a door and reporting a disturbance in the area.

Hayden and another officer located the man, who said he was working at Wings on 5 on Atwood Avenue, and when the establishment closed he said a regular patron – David Matera, 36, 49 Tobey St., Pawtucket – would provide him a ride back to his residence in Cranston.

While en route, he advised Matera was stopping for a minute then would proceed to his residence. He said he observed a group of people on the roadway and/or sidewalk having a small gathering, and Matera pulled up to the gathering and began arguing with the individuals. Hayden said that he was told Matera started speeding away toward Providence after the argument. As they were traveling eastbound, the man said Matera struck possibly a tree and continued into Providence at which time he attempted to take a U-turn.

At that point, he said he believed the vehicle struck an unattended car in Providence. Hayden said that Providence Police investigated the possible accident in the city. The man pleaded with Matera to let him out of the car, but he continued to turn around and began traveling west toward the group of people to start arguing again. The man said he jumped out of the passenger side of the vehicle because he was scared of the erratic behavior and driving. He said he walked to a house on Charter Street and told the homeowner to call 911.

The vehicle and operator were later located traveling west on Boundary Avenue near the Providence line. A check of Rhode Island registry files showed a suspended registration on the vehicle, as well as Matera’s suspended license.

Hayden noted that Matera was not cooperative with police at the scene, and he was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended license, fourth offense. He was released with a Third Division District Court summons to appear on Oct. 5. He was also issued summonses for operation of an unregistered vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and operating on foreign registrations.

ELUDING

AN OFFICER

Patrolman Derek Parascandolo wrote the morning of July 25 that Warwick Police arrested Brandon Vargas, 24, 15 Bagley Road, Warwick, on a warrant stemming out of JPD for eluding an officer with a motor vehicle in a high-speed pursuit.

Vargas was later arraigned and released on $1,000 personal recognizance with a Third Division District Court date Oct. 5.

Vargas’ arrest stemmed from an alleged incident that took place the afternoon of April 23 when Patrolman Arthur Petteruti responded to a Shell gas station at 525 Killingly St. for a dispersal of a male party/suspicious motor vehicle. Petteruti said he was advised that the vehicle had been parked in the lot for more than an hour.

Upon his arrival, Petteruti said that he observed a vehicle about to exit the parking lot, and the store manager pointed out the car and positively identified. The report states that as Vargas observed Petteruti entering the lot, he sped out at a high rate of speed, causing his tires to spin. At that time, Petteruti said he activated his emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

While traveling northbound on Killingly Street behind the suspect vehicle, Vargas ignored Petteruti’s attempts to conduct a stop. The suspect vehicle quickly entered a parking lot at 595 Killingly St., and once again quickly exited the parking lot spinning his tires and traveling southbound down the street at twice the 35 mph speed limit.

Petteruti said Vargas passed numerous cars on the left and entered the Route 6 eastbound on ramp, swerving in and out of lanes around vehicles evasively trying to flee. The pursuit was terminated due to heavy traffic and the officer entering a construction zone. A check later matched the vehicle to Vargas.

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