POLICE NEWS

Police Log 01-26-23

Posted 1/25/23

Victims recuperating after Sandy Lane crash

A prospective car deal went horribly wrong on Sandy Lane last week.

Around 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, the Warwick Police responded to the area of 333 …

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POLICE NEWS

Police Log 01-26-23

Posted

Victims recuperating after Sandy Lane crash

A prospective car deal went horribly wrong on Sandy Lane last week.

Around 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, the Warwick Police responded to the area of 333 Sandy Lane for the report of a two vehicle crash with possible entrapment of the occupants, according to a department press release.

Warwick Police and Fire personnel arrived on scene and found a Subaru sedan and a Ford Escape in the roadway, each vehicle with heavy disabling damage, police said.

“Six of the seven occupants had injuries, two of the occupants had to be extricated from the Subaru by fire personnel,” according to a WPD press release. “Vehicle occupants were transported to area hospitals. Two passengers have serious injuries, three passengers are reported to have minor to moderate injuries at this time. One of the critical patients is currently in surgery.”

Police have not released the identities of the occupants.

The Warwick Police Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash.

The driver of the Subaru, identified as Jaden Bernard Berthole, 18, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, was injured but refused medical treatment/transport by EMS personnel, according to police. He has been taken into custody and charged with Driving so as to Endanger – Resulting in Serious personal injury (two counts), Driving so as to Endanger – Resulting in physical injury (three counts), and Reckless Driving.

“The driver will also be issued several traffic citations,” police said. “Speed and roadway conditions are contributing factors in this crash.”

“(Berthole) lost control of the vehicle in the curve when he attempted a U-turn at a high rate of speed and the victim vehicle hit his vehicle directly in the center as he was in their lane,” according to Warwick Police Capt. Robert T. Hart of the department’s Community Services Division. “The female and two juveniles are out of the hospital and recovering. The front seat passenger, the owner of the suspect vehicle is still in the hospital getting treatment.”

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact the Traffic Unit at 401-468-4200.

“Apparently this all stemmed from an attempt to purchase the vehicle and the suspect operator insisted on a test drive, the collision occurred on this test drive,” Hart said Tuesday.


FATAL CRASH

At 1:42 a.m., Monday, Jan. 23, members of the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) and West Warwick Fire and Rescue responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 95 north, approximately 1,700 feet south of Exit 24A (Route 2).

A witness told police that the vehicle was traveling in the right lane and lost control, possibly due to wet roadway conditions, according to RISP.

“The vehicle exited onto the shoulder of the roadway where it rolled over and struck a tree,” police said.

The driver and lone occupant has been identified as Beatrice J. Batista, 25, of 69 Fales St., Central Falls. State police said Batista was “wearing her seatbelt, however, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.


SHOPLIFTING

Around 5:10 p.m., Dec. 26, Warwick Police responded to Macy’s at 400 Bald Hill Road, following the report of a shoplifting that had just occurred.

Macy’s loss prevention had detained the suspect, and reported that she was cooperative.

Loss prevention told police that around 5 p.m. he witnessed a woman carrying a large empty bag through the store. She was later identified as Geraldine G. Fraga, 68, of 15 Manuel Ave., Johnston.

According to store security, Fraga allegedly selected five jewelry items (valued at a combined $148) and concealed them in her purse.

Fraga allegedly passed all points of sale, exiting the store with the items in her bag, making no attempt to purchase them, according to the arrest report.

After a loss prevention employee approached Fraga, and identified himself, she allegedly handed him the items. He escorted her to a “Macy’s holding cell,” according to the arrest report.

The store provided video surveillance of the incident as evidence.

“Upon checking Fraga’s prior convictions, it was observed she had been convicted of Misdemeanor Shoplifting on Dec. 11, 2014,” according to the narrative support submitted by Warwick Police Officer Frank P. Matarese.

Fraga was charged with Shoplifting (greater than $100; second offense).

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