Johnston Police Log

Posted

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

FRAUD SCHEME

Editor's note: This item has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Gregory F. Aloisio's name and business.

A Johnston man, the real estate firm he founded, and another man from North Providence have been indicted in connection with a scheme that defrauded financially distressed homeowners as well as lending institutions, according to the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Richard Myrus.

Gregory F. Aloisio, 60, of Johnston faces charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, prosecutors say. His firm, Johnston-based Aloisio Group LLC – which authorities say also did business under the name Quietstorm Professional Services – faces the same charges.

Also indicted was 68-year-old John DiFruscio Jr. of North Providence, who prosecutors describe as “associated with Quietstorm Professional Services.” He faces the same charges as Aloisio and the firm.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Aloisio, his company and DiFruscio “held themselves out as negotiators who, for a fee, could assist in keeping properties from being foreclosed upon.”

Instead, they are alleged to have “conspired to fraudulently obtain properties from financially distressed homeowners; fraudulently obtained fees, commissions, and other income associated with the rental, use and short sale of homeowners’ properties; fraudulently purchased properties in short sales and illegally ‘flipped’ them for significant personal gain; and defrauded several financial institutions.”

SHOPLIFTING

Patrolman Richard Varan responded to 100 Stone Hill Road for a report of two shoplifters fleeing from Home Depot on the afternoon of Jan. 25.

Upon arrival, Varan met with the loss prevention officer, who said that he saw the two suspects – one male and one female – flee on foot southwesterly into a wooded area behind the store. The officer ran on foot into the wooded area, observing the two suspects fleeing through the brush. He identified himself to both parties as a Johnston Police officer and yelled for them to stop, which they ignored. He said he continued to track both parties toward BJ’s Wholesale Club. Both suspects attempted to exit the wooded area behind BJ’s when they were taken into custody by Detective Anthony Sasso.

The suspects were identified as Jose Gomes, 35, 160 Broad St., Providence, and Stephanie Napolitano, 39, 17 Parker St., Central Falls. Sasso advised that Napolitano had two Google Nest Minis in her possession when she was taken into custody.

Varan returned to Home Depot to take a statement from the loss prevention officer, who said that saw Napolitano select three Minis and put them inside her coat pocket. Both then loaded a flat cart with two Ryobi pressure washers and both walked out of the rear lumber door with al items. The reporting party said that at no point did either party attempt to pay for said items. Once outside the store, he approached both parties who then fled on foot toward BJ’s. The items were valued upwards of $1,000.

Varan said the two pressure washers could not be located and had been taken from the rear of the Home Depot by unknown parties. He said that after speaking with the arrested parties, information was conveyed that there was a third party in a vehicle on scene who may have picked up the pressure washers from the rear of the building prior to the officers arriving.

In a supplementary report, Sasso said he responded to 200 Stone Hill Road, and Varan told him upon his arrival that he was in active pursuit of the suspects. Sasso drove off the road with his unmarked SUV, at the top ridge, which connects to the dirt access road. He said he drove a few hundred yards vertically along the top of the ridge in hope the suspects would come out of the brush.

He exited the SUV and began to trek down the steep terrain, which was littered with dense spiny thickets, small brush and thick grasses. He said it was difficult to see through and maneuver around. As he made his way across the ridge, he could hear voices and brush rustling coming from a westerly direction.

He rerouted his pursuit, and began to run diagonal across the landscape, when he observed the suspects traveling up the embankment in a low crawl to conceal themselves. He quickly made his way across the rocky slope and as he looked up to the top of the ridge, he saw three other officers on the access road up above to the south. He signaled to them to flank him as he pursued the suspects.

Sasso sprinted towards the suspects and was able to get a clear visual on both of them. When he was about 25 yards away, he shouted multiple times, “Stop, police, let me see your hands.” As he moved closer, he saw a black object in Gomes’ hands, which later turned out to be a cell phone.

Patrolman Nicholas Manocchio later wrote that upon searching Gomes, a knife with a three-inch blade was located in his front jacket pocket.

Gomes was arrested on counts of shoplifting, conspiracy, shoplifting as a habitual offender and possession of prohibited weapons other than firearms. Napolitano was charged with shoplifting, shoplifting as a habitual offender and conspiracy.

Three days later, Patrolmen Matthew Leveillee and Robert Cardoza responded to the Rhode Island State Police Lincoln Barracks to take custody of Ralph Quinones, 43, 259 Thurbers Ave., Providence, on an active JPD arrest warrant on charges of conspiracy and receiving stolen goods. He was transferred without incident.

DUI

Patrolman Nicholas Manocchio and several other officers responded to 2128 Hartford Ave. on the evening of Feb. 19 in response to a report of a motor vehicle accident with unknown injuries.

Upon arrival, he saw Johnston Fire Department personnel attempting to remove a woman from the passenger seat of one vehicle. Manocchio overheard the male drive of the vehicle yell an expletive at JFD personnel. The officer spoke with the operator, identified as Brian Domenici, 52, 31 Alpine Way, North Smithfield.

While speaking with Domenici, whom Manocchio said was not wearing a facemask, the officer detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. Manocchio said Domenici’s face was red, his eyes were bloodshot and his speech was slurred.

Manocchio said he asked Domenici how the accident occurred, to which he said, “Where the [expletive] is my daughter going?” The officer told him his daughter was being transferred to Rhode Island Hospital. Domenici continued to ask where his daughter was, and each time Manocchio responded, Domenici became more aggressive and agitated. He advised Domenici to calm down, at which time he began to move aggressively in Manocchio’s direction, attempting to put his face closer to the officer’s.

After a brief struggle, Domenici was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. Due to the adverse weather conditions and Domenici’s combative behavior, Manocchio chose not to conduct field sobriety tests on the roadway. While being read his rights, Domenici continued to swear at Manocchio.

Domenici would consent to field sobriety tests at the Johnston Police headquarters. Manocchio said Domenici lost his balance during the first and second tests. The officer then ended the tests for Domenici’s safety.

Domenici was subsequently charged with driving under the influence. He was later released with a summons to appear in Third Division District Court.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here