Johnston Police Log

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

LARCENY

The Johnston Police Department is requesting public assistance in identifying the suspect involved in a recent larceny at OPTX Rhode Island, 1277 Hartford Ave., in Johnston.

Members of the department responded the afternoon of May 15 for a report of larceny of several pairs of eyeglasses valued at more than $10,000, which occurred moments prior to their arrival.

Officers canvassed the area in search of the suspect who had fled the scene, but were met with negative results. A report from Deputy Chief Joseph Razza said the suspect was described by witnesses as a tall, skinny black male in his early 20s who wore a white Nike T-shirt, jeans with several rips in the front and a red pocket in back with white Puma sneakers.

The release also said that the man has short, dark brown hair and appeared to have a beard which was covered by a surgical mask. Razza said the party was observed fleeing the area in a newer model, silver GMC Terrain with an unknown registration.

An active investigation is ongoing and those with additional information are asked to contact Detective Thomas Dwyer at 401-757-3158 or Detective Anthony Sasso at 401-757-3146. BREAKING AND ENTERING

Patrolman Kevin Brady and three other officers responded to George Waterman Road for a disturbance the morning of May 9.

While en route, Brady said communications personnel advised that the second-floor tenant responded to the third-floor tenant’s apartment and “maced” him. Upon arrival, Brady said he and the other officers were met by Lawrence Demeo, 61, of the above address, outside of the apartment complex.

Brady said Demeo told him that, “I had to do it, I had no choice.” Brady asked what happened and Demeo said, “I sprayed the guy in self-defense.” Brady said Demeo just kept saying, “I had no choice.” Brady noted that Demeo said he handed him a black container with some sort of pepper spray inside.

Brady then spoke to the tenant of the apartment, who was teary-eyed and coughing, making it apparent that he had just been sprayed. As Brady entered, he said he could detect the pepper spray in the air and began to cough. The man told Brady that he heard a commotion outside his apartment in the stairway, so he opened his door to see what was going on.

As he did so, Brady said, the man told him that Demeo took out a can of pepper spray from his pocket and sprayed him in the face. The man stumbled backwards into his apartment, which is when Demeo entered his apartment and continued to spray him twice more.

Demeo was charged with felony breaking and entering without consent and misdemeanor counts of simple assault or battery and disorderly conduct.

Demeo was arraigned and released on $10,000 personal recognizance with a non-domestic no-contact order. He is set to appear in Sixth Division District Court for his pre-arraignment conference on Sept. 14. SUSPENDED LICENSE

Patrolman Kevin Brady observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Killingly Street with no front plate affixed on the evening of May 11.

Brady and another officer detained the vehicle in the area of Killingly and King streets. Brady identified the operator as Michael Amore, 23, 62 Luna St., Providence, and Division of Motor Vehicles checks revealed a suspended driver’s license.

Amore was issued a Third Division District Court notice for Sept 7, and he was also given a summons for display of plates.