Johnston Police Log

VANDALISM

Patrolman Joseph D. Anderson responded to a report of vandalism to a vehicle the evening of June 22.

Upon arrival, Anderson spoke with the reporting party, who said she was driving a friend home about two hours earlier. The woman said she used back roads to take her friend home and while she was traveling on to John Street from the parking lot of American Foam Corporation, a Jeep drove toward her vehicle. Anderson said she told him that she believed the Jeep drove toward her in an aggressive manner. She let the Jeep drive in front of her to avoid conflict.

Anderson said the Jeep turned down a side road and she continued to her friend’s home. When she attempted to turn around in the driveway of her friend’s residence, the Jeep turned on to the street and came toward her vehicle. She said an older white man exited the vehicle and approached her. She said he began to shout at her and attempted to stand in front of her vehicle.

The victim told Anderson that, as she began to drive away from the incident, the man kicked her vehicle causing damage to the passenger’s side rear door with his foot. The woman described the suspect and a photo was provided. A check of DMV files on the Jeep’s registration revealed it was currently registered to Charles Stepinski, 43, of Baker Street in Johnston. Anderson said the license photograph resembled the description and photograph of the male party.

Anderson and another officer responded to his address to locate Stepinski, who said he believed the woman had attempted to strike his vehicle in the area of John Street and Zanfagna Street. He said he then left the area and when he turned around to travel back home, he came into contact with the reporting party’s vehicle again and began to yell. He said that as she attempted to drive away, he kicked her vehicle on the rear passenger’s side door out of anger.

Stepinski was charged with misdemeanor counts of vandalism/malicious injury to property and disorderly conduct.

Stepinski was later issued a Third Division District Court summons to appear Sept. 28.