Police Log

PIECE OF CAKE    

While on a fixed traffic post on Plainfield Street on March 21 at approximately 4:40 p.m., an officer observed a black BMW with reportedly unlawfully tinted windows. As the vehicle passed the officer’s location, the officer observed a large blue cake thrown out from the passenger’s window towards a group of pedestrians nearby, but it did not strike any of them.

A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as Shawn Herlihy, 19, of 9 Arthur Street in West Warwick. Background checks on Herlihy revealed that he had an outstanding bench warrant stemming from a felony assault charge out of Coventry. He was taken into custody and his vehicle was transferred to a licensed passenger.

Herlihy was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and held pending arraignment. He was issued a summons for unlawful window tint and littering prohibited, first offense.

SHOPLIFTING

Officers responded to the CVS located on Putnam Avenue on February 13 at approximately 4:17 p.m. in reference to a larceny in progress.

At the store, an employee told officers they recognized the suspect from previous incidents upon his entry. The suspect proceeded directly to the laundry detergent section and filled two bags with merchandise. The man then left the store without paying for the goods. The employee stated that the man left in a bright yellow sedan with unknown registration plates in an unknown direction.

The stolen items, totaling $359.70, were listed on a receipt provided to officers. A check of department records revealed a similar incident on April 25, 2024, with a suspect matching the description of the man involved. Those records indicated the suspect involved was Roberto Suazo Garcia, 46, of 347 Academy Drive in Providence. The employee positively identified the suspect as the same individual from the prior incident. A no trespass order had been issued against him from the store which was still in effect.

A background check revealed Garcia had two active warrants for shoplifting. On March 15, officers responded to the Providence Police Department where Garcia had been taken into custody. He was transported back to the Johnston Police Department where he was processed and held. He was issued a $5,000 bail; however, as a probation violator with a hold-without-bail order, he was remanded to the ACI.

FALSE REPORT

On March 5 at approximately 3 p.m., Patrolman Elijah Bolarinho responded to the Gulf Express located at 1889 Plainfield pike for a report of a road rage incident.

At the scene, he was met by the calling party, later identified as Christopher Walker Jr., 27, of 2814 Plainfield Street in Johnston, who stated that he was traveling west on Plainfield Pike behind a grey Ram truck. Walker told the officer that the driver of the truck signaled to turn into the Gulf station and Walker proceeded to drive around the truck.

Walker alleged that as he passed the truck, the operator swerved at his vehicle, causing him to strike the curb. Walker then followed the truck into the Gulf parking lot and attempted to make contact with the driver. He proceeded to ask the truck’s driver for his insurance information. Walker then stated that the driver drove off and struck him in the right shoulder with his driver’s side mirror before fleeing the scene.

Officer Bolahrino noted in his report that Walker’s vehicle showed no visible damage from an accident. 

Walker provided the officer with the truck’s registration information and a description of the truck. The Johnston Fire Department responded to the scene to evaluate Walker, who was transported to the hospital.

Contact was later made with the driver of the Ram truck, who responded to police headquarters to provide a statement with his version of events. He stated that Walker’s vehicle cut in front of him at the Gulf station. He stated that no accident occurred, and he continued to the store’s drive thru. While at the drive thru window, the other party reported that Walker drove his vehicle in front of the truck, parked it and blocked him from exiting the lane.

The other driver stated that Walker demanded his insurance information, which he refused, maintaining that no collision had taken place. As the driver attempted to move his vehicle, he stated that Walker intentionally lunged his shoulder into the side mirror. The Ram driver also stated that Walker pulled an orange flare gun from his waistband and discharged the gun at the rear of the truck.

The Ram driver stated that he fled the scene out of fear and nervousness.

Management at the Gulf Express later provided surveillance footage, which showed Walker’s vehicle overtaking the Ram on the left, driving through the painted median strip, and cutting across Plainfield Pike in front of the truck. It then continued into the parking lot and in doing so, drove over the curb.

Surveillance footage also showed Walker driving the wrong way through the drive-through and blocking the Ram from leaving. Footage then revealed Walker lunging his shoulder into the truck’s mirror. The surveillance tape was inconclusive as to whether Walker was holding a weapon, but it did show him reaching for his waistband and pointing to the truck.   

Officers determined no accident occurred between the two vehicles, that Walker drove over the curb on his own and intentionally shoved his shoulder into the mirror.

Based upon the circumstances, Walker was charged with filing a false police report and disorderly conduct. He later responded to police headquarters where he was processed and released with a Third District Court summons as well as a summons for laned roadway violations.

POSSESSION

At approximately 3:30a.m. on March 18, officers observed a motor vehicle with no front registration plate exiting the parking lot of the Killingly Street Shell.  The operator also appeared not to be wearing a seat belt. A motor vehicle stop was conducted.

A check of the vehicle’s registration revealed that it was not attached to the correct vehicle. Officers made contact with the operator, identified as Marcus Bennett, 28, of 14 Arch Street in Pawtucket. Officers reported that Bennett was not wearing his seatbelt and did not have any form of identification on his person. He also did not have a bill of sale, vehicle title, or registration. When asked if there was any contraband in the vehicle, Bennett allegedly stated “You can search it.”

A background check on Bennett’s license revealed it to be suspended and found that this was his fourth offense. While the registration plate on the rear of the vehicle was active, it was confirmed that it did not belong to the vehicle Bennett was driving.

Bennett was asked to exit the vehicle, and a search of his person yielded no contraband. A search of the vehicle produced a small clear plastic bag filled with a powder-like substance in the driver’s seat area. A later chemical test found the substance to be cocaine.

The search also revealed two opened beer bottles in the rear of the vehicle; one was empty, and the other was half full. However, officers reported that at no time did they observe evidence to believe that Bennett was operating the vehicle while under the influence.

Bennett’s vehicle was towed from the scene. He was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and held pending arraignment. He was charged with driving with a suspended license and possession of a schedule 1-V drug (cocaine). He was also issued a summons for improper use of registration, display of plates, operating a vehicle with an unsealed alcoholic beverage, and no seat belt. 

Editor’s Note: The preceding police log information has been taken arrest reports provided by the Johnston Police Department.