CHILD STRUCK BY TIRE AND RIM

Around 3:30 p.m., Sept. 27, a pickup truck was traveling south on Dyer Avenue when the driver-side front tire and rim became dislodged from the vehicle, according to Cranston Police.

“The tire and rim continued to roll in a southerly direction and struck a 13-year-old girl from Cranston while crossing the road on foot with her two friends near Oxford Street,” according to a Cranston Police press release. “The tire and rim struck her head-on with the momentum, causing her to fall backward. The pickup continued to travel south after losing the rim and tire until the axle snapped from the force of the pavement and came to rest a short distance away.”

Cranston Police said the department’s Traffic Unit is investigating the incident

The victim “was immediately transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital by Cranston Fire and Rescue, where she remains in intensive care,” according to police. “While the girl has serious injuries, including a concussion, she is expected to survive.”

Police said that while the investigation into the crash remains active, alcohol/drug impairment or speed are not suspected of being factors in the crash.

“The 43-year-old driver, also from Cranston, remained on the scene before the arrival of responding Officers and has been cooperative,” according to Cranston Police. “The driver stated he purchased the vehicle yesterday from a private party. State inspectors will further examine the vehicle to determine what may have caused the tire to dislodge. The driver may face motor vehicle charges once the investigation concludes.”

Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said, “All members of the Cranston Police Department are praying for a speedy recovery for the young girl who was injured this afternoon as she was walking home to school.”

An update from Cranston Police Monday said the child is recovering.

SEX OFFENDER

Cranston Police arrested Kyle Bento, 37, of Howard Ave., Cranston, on charges of Indecent Exposure/Disorderly Conduct (one count). Bento was arrested by plain clothes detectives after information was received regarding Bento using a public computer on a regular basis at the Cranston Public Library on 140 Sockanosset Cross Road.

The Cranston Police Department’s Special Victims Unit Detectives were tasked with following up on credible information that was received regarding Bento entering the Cranston Public Library and utilizing the bank of accessible public computers. It was learned that he was utilizing the computer to view young female images and videos. One of the videos he was alleged to have viewed was that of a young, under aged female committing a lewd act on a cucumber.

On Sept. 28, plain clothes detectives were investigating Bento when they located him in the Cranston Public Library. Unbeknownst to Bento, two detectives were monitoring him as he used the public computer. He was wearing a set of headphones and began viewing two young females in a video partially clothed wearing bikinis. As the two detectives were monitoring him, he pulled out a small tube of lotion and squeezed some onto his hand and then put one hand in his pants under the desk, which was visible and began manipulating himself by masturbating.

Detectives video-recorded him in the act and he was arrested on the spot while a female patron was using a computer next to him. Bento stated to the detectives that “he would never do this again and that he would never come back here.” Bento was brought to Cranston Police headquarters where he was arraigned in Third District and held as a violator with a pending status hearing on Oct. 6.

 A statement from the Cranston Public Library Monday said the library fully cooperated with the investigation by the Cranston Police.

“We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior in the library,” the library stated.

SUSPENDED LICENSE

Around 8:30 p.m., Aug. 6, while on patrol in the area of 1640 Hartford Ave., Johnston Police Patrolman Thomas Santurri witnessed a red Hyundai Sonata with Michigan dealer plates traveling west, approximately 10 miles over the 35 mph speed limit.

Santurri initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Lucila B. Chaco, of 45 Wakefield Ave., Cranston. 

Police said DMV files revealed Chacon had a suspended permit, which had expired in June, 2018, and the registration had expired in February, 2019. The VIN on the vehicle showed it had been inactive and last registered in the state of Maine, but Chacon provided a title that showed the vehicle had been sold to her (though she could not locate the bill of sale), according to the summons report.

Chacon was released from the scene with a District Court Notice to Appear for Driving with a Suspended License (third or subsequent offense, a misdemeanor), and received a RITT Court summons for Operation of Unregistered Vehicle, Improper use of Evidence of Registration and Speeding 1 to 10 mph in Excess. Her car was towed from the scene. 

VIOLENCE

At 11 p.m. on Sept. 26, Cranston Police arrested James K. Stewart, 30, of 25 Fairfield Road, Cranston, on charges of Domestic Violence – Vandalism/Malicious Damage (one count). The arrest was the result of a vandalism in progress call at the aforementioned address. Stewart was held for arraignment (Bail Violator).

EMBEZZLEMENT

At 5:18 p.m. on Sept. 26, Cranston Police arrested Ernest McNair, 46, of 22 Aborn St., Apt. 14, Cumberland, on charges of Embezzlement/Fraudulent Conversion over $100. The arrest was the result of a pickup at Newport District Court on an Arrest and Affidavit Warrant. McNair was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace.

WARRANT

At 5:18 p.m. on Sept. 29, Cranston Police arrested Nicholas Minutelli, 27, of 2 Poplar Drive, Cranston, on an Outstanding Arrest Warrant out of the West Greenwich Police Department. The arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop in the area of Midway Road. Minutelli turned himself over to the West Greenwich Police Department.

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At 1:32 p.m. on Oct. 3, Cranston Police arrested Jakequin McCarthy, 28, of 30 Sheridan St., Providence, on a Cranston Warrant of Duty to Stop in an Accident resulting in Damage to an Attended Vehicle as the result of the RI Sheriffs turning him over to our custody based on the warrant. McCarthy was arraigned and released.

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At 1 p.m. on Sept. 26, Cranston Police arrested Diane Marie Pellegrino, 66, of 101 Hazelton St., Cranston, on an East Providence Police Arrest Warrant as a result of a traffic stop at 200 Atwood Ave. Pellegrino was transferred to the East Providence Police Department.

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At 1:57 a.m. on Sept. 26, Cranston Police arrested Abiodun Okikiola, 31, of 64 Sumter St., Apt. 2, Providence, on a Cranston Police Arrest Warrant for Disorderly Conduct & Obstructing Officer in Execution of Duty as a result of a warrant pickup by Providence Police. Okikiola was held for arraignment.

VANDALISM

Around 4:30 p.m., while on a fixed post along Plainfield Street, Johnston Police Patrolman Thomas Santurri observed a gray Hyundai Santa Fe travel west, and the driver was allegedly not wearing her seatbelt. 

Santurri initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Melissa D. Cruz, of 112 Murray St., Apt. 9, Providence. A RILETS check revealed Cruz had an active arrest warrant out of the Cranston Police Department for Vandalism and Disorderly Conduct. Cruz was arrested and Cranston Police Officers responded to the scene to take custody of Cruz.

Cruz was also cited for not wearing her seatbelt. 

ASSAULT

At 10:35 a.m. on Oct. 1, Cranston Police arrested Christopher Colerick, 35, of 284 Montgomery Ave., Cranston, on charges of Domestic Assault by Strangulation, Domestic Refuse/Relinquish Telephone and Domestic Disorderly Conduct. The arrest was the result of subject turning himself in on a previous warrant. Colerick was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace and released.

PASSING COUNTERFEIT BILLS

At 7:51 p.m. on Sept. 30, Cranston Police arrested Kyleena Williams, 36, of 142 Putnam St., Apt. 3, Providence, on Cranston Warrants of Passing Counterfeit Bills and Obtaining Money Under False Pretense as the result of Providence Police arresting her on the warrants. Williams awaited arraignment.

SHOPLIFTING

At 4:18 p.m. on Sept. 29, Cranston Police arrested Donald Villani, 73, of 30 Beecher St., Apt. 205, Pawtucket, on charges of Shoplifting (two counts). The arrest was the result of a call for service and subsequent investigation at Dave’s Market on Pontiac Avenue. Villani was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace.

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At 8:19 p.m. on Oct. 3, Cranston Police arrested Tiffany St. Laurent, 22, of 115 Tucker St., Glocester, on charges of Shoplifting and Conspiracy as the result of a reported shoplifting at Stop & Shop on Garfield Avenue. St. Laurent was held as a violator.

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At 8:19 p.m. on Oct. 3, Cranston Police arrested Zachary Machado, 27, of 39 Mills St., Warwick, on charges of Shoplifting, Conspiracy and Violation of a No Contact Order as the result of a reported shoplifting at Stop & Shop on Garfield Avenue. Machado was held as a violator.

NO CONTACT ORDER VIOLATION

At 2:14 p.m. on Oct. 3, Cranston Police arrested Brian Fritsche, 33, of 222 Crescent Ave., Apt. 5, Cranston, on charges of Felony Violation of a No Contact Order and Resisting Legal or Illegal arrest as the result of a call for service at 159 Crescent Ave. Fritsche was held as a violator.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

At 8:08 p.m. on Oct. 3, Cranston Police arrested James Hart Soto, 57, of 183 Farmington Ave., Apt. 2, Cranston, on a Cranston Warrant of Second Degree Sexual Assault as the result of an attempted warrant pickup at 183 Farmington Ave., Apt. 2. Soto was arraigned and released.

DOMESTIC ELTRONIC TRACKING

At 12:31 a.m. on Oct. 4, Cranston Police arrested A.J. Brousseau, 23, of 58 Dale Ave., Apt. 1, Cranston, on charges of Domestic Electronic Tracking of Motor Vehicles. The arrest was the result of a call for service at 86 Harper Ave. Brousseau awaited arraignment.