BODY FOUND

Around 4:20 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, the Warwick Police Department responded to the area of 1960 Post Road for the report of a possible body in a wooded area.

Upon arrival, police officers observed a human body in the late stages of decomposition, according to a Warwick Police Department press release.

“At the time of this release it is unknown if the deceased is male or female,” according to police. “Warwick Police Detective Division along with the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene for further investigation. The cause and manner of death are unknown at this time.”

Anybody with information related to this incident is requested to contact Sgt. Gregory Johnson of the Warwick Police Department Detective Division at 401-468-4261.

WEAPON CHARGE

At 9:30 p.m., Feb. 21, Warwick Police were dispatched to the Walmart at 840 Post Road to investigate the report of a shoplifting in process. 

A loss prevention officer at the store told police that a man wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and backpack “took some tools” then went into a store restroom. The man allegedly exited the bathroom with the unpaid merchandise, then fled the store on foot, according to police.

Police spotted the suspect walking south along Post Road.

“I also observed a large bulge protruding from his back underneath the sweatshirt,” Warwick Police Officer Derek J. Hagopian wrote in the incident report. “I advised dispatch of my location.”

Another officer arrived on scene to assist. 

The suspect admitted to police that he had been inside Walmart. He insisted, however, he was just there to “use the bathroom.”

Police asked the man to remove his backpack. He told them “all that stuff in there is mine I bought it earlier,” according to the incident report.

While the man was removing his backpack, one officer ordered him to place his hands on his head, after noticing a holster on the man’s right hip, which held a fixed blade knife, according to police.

The man, identified as Brad C. Rochford, of 41 Greenhill St., West Warwick, was cuffed and taken into custody. Walmart loss prevention eventually identified Rochford as the suspect. 

Police estimated the value of the items Rochford allegedly shop-lifted from Walmart at $43.20. Rochford was ultimately charged with one count of Weapons Other Than Firearms Prohibited and one count of Shoplifting. 

Rochford was held by Warwick Police as a bail/probation violator. 

SHOPLIFTING

At 11:01 a.m., Feb. 22, Warwick Police responded to Interstate 95 South in the area of East Avenue to investigate a reported shoplifting incident. 

Loss prevention officers at Walmart, 650 Bald Hill Road, called police to report the shoplifting.

“He informed dispatch that a suspect was taking items from different areas of the store and placing labels on them as to make it appear that he was gathering items for a delivery service,” Warwick Police Officer Rene G. Gauthier wrote in the incident report. 

Upon Gauthier’s arrival, officers had already initiated a traffic stop of a blue 2021 Hyundai Accent with Connecticut plates, which matched a vehicle description loss prevention provided to police. 

The driver, identified as Gian Carlo Garabito Mejia, 33, of 2110 Valentine Ave., Apt. 2, Bronx, New York, told police “that he was a delivery driver on his way to make deliveries.”

Store loss prevention identified Mejia as the suspect seen taking items in the store. They estimated the value of the items at $574.73.

The items taken included a Kitchen Aid mixer, robot floor vacuum, Frosty Flakes, eggs and paper towels. 

Loss prevention approached Mejia at the store, but he abandoned the shopping cart, walked to his vehicle and left the area, according to the police incident report. 

Mejia was charged with Shoplifting and received a Third District Court summons to appear on Feb. 24.

LARCENY

Around 12:29 a.m., Feb. 23, an Uncasville man called police to report the theft of his catalytic converter while his vehicle was parked at Fairfield Inn & Suites, 1940 Post Road. 

The man told police that he had left his 2005 Honda CRV parked at the hotel while he and his wife went to Florida for the week.  When he returned, he attempted to start his vehicle and noticed a loud noise coming from the exhaust. Upon further inspection, he observed the catalytic converter was cut off the bottom of his vehicle. 

The victim estimated the cost of a new converter around $1,500. A copy of the incident report has been forwarded to the Detective Division for further investigawtion.