POSSESSION

At 2:21 a.m., March 21, Warwick Police Sgt. Derek Mourato was traveling south on Post Road near the Route 37 East off-ramp when he observed a brown Infiniti exiting and approaching the yield sign at the end of the ramp.

“The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to yield at the yield sign to my vehicle,” Mourato wrote in the incident report. “The vehicle then proceeded to turn into my lane of travel, which caused me to make an abrupt turn to avoid a collision.”

Mourato activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop in front of the Lincoln Cemetery. A second police cruiser was exiting the cemetery at the same time and the officer driving also observed the alleged “motor vehicle infractions.”

A DMV check of the plates did not match the vehicle. The driver was identified as Donald Saladin, 29, of 31 Walnut Ave., Apt. 31, Stoughton, Massachusetts. A Taunton, Massachusetts man was in the passenger seat.

“I asked them where they were coming from, to which they stated that they were coming from Stoughton and they were headed to see a friend named ‘Moe’ in Warwick,” Mourato wrote. “It should be noted that they could not give an address for their friend.”

Mourato observed a different location on Saladin’s phone GPS — the Radisson Hotel. He also allegedly spotted an empty bottle of Johnny Walker on the side of the passenger’s seat in plain view.

“I asked about the bottle, to which they became very defensive and argumentative,” Mourato wrote.

The passenger repeatedly said “that there was nothing illegal in the vehicle and he was on probation,” according to police.

Police ran the car’s VIN, and discovered the vehicle registration was canceled. Both men were removed from the vehicle.

Police conducted a motor vehicle inventory prior to towing the car.

“Upon conducting the inventory, I located three small baggies that contained a white powdery substance in the center console,” Mourato wrote. “Through my training and experience as a police officer and as a Drug Recognition Expert, I found the substance to be consistent with powdered Fentanyl.”

Saladin was cuffed and “immediately stated that the substance belonged to him,” according to Mourato’s report.

“Saladin stated that the substance was cocaine,” Mourato wrote.

The substance field-tested positive for the presence of Fentanyl and the package weighed six grams.

Saladin was charged with one count of Possession of Schedule I-V Controlled Substance, 10 Grams or Less and assigned a Third District Court date. He was also issued citations for Improper Use of Registration, Operation of Unregistered Motor Vehicle and Obedience to Traffic Control Devices.

ROBBERY

On March 23, the Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging George Santana, 29, of New York, New York, and Noel Rodriguez, 19, of Providence, with four counts of first-degree robbery, four counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree carjacking, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree carjacking, two counts of using a firearm while in commission of a crime of violence of first-degree robbery, two counts of carrying a revolver without a license, two counts of conspiracy to carry a revolver without a license, two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon, one count of using a firearm while in commission of a crime of violence of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and two counts of conspiracy to possess a stolen vehicle, according to a press release from Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha’s Office.

The alleged acts occurred in the cities of Providence, Cranston and Warwick on various dates between August 29, 2021 and August 31, 2021. The Providence, Cranston, and Warwick Police Departments conducted the investigation.

The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on April 6, in Providence County Superior Court. An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

ARSON

On March 30, the Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Carlos Figueroa Ortiz, 29, of Portsmouth, with one count of first-degree Arson.

“The alleged act occurred in the city of Warwick sometime on June 9, 2021,” according to a press release from Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha’s Office. “The Warwick Police Department conducted the investigation.”

Ortiz is scheduled to be arraigned on April 22 in Kent County Superior Court.