Police Log

Posted 4/4/17

ARSON Sergeant Daniel DiMaio was dispatched to Lemac Street on March 26 around 11:31 p.m. for an arson report. Upon arrival at the scene he met with the Warwick Fire Department and observed a burned area in a resident's yard and grass. He spoke with the

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Police Log

Posted

ARSON

Sergeant Daniel DiMaio was dispatched to Lemac Street on March 26 around 11:31 p.m. for an arson report.

Upon arrival at the scene he met with the Warwick Fire Department and observed a burned area in a resident’s yard and grass. He spoke with the homeowner, who stated that around 11:22 p.m. she noticed a red and amber color outside of her bedroom window. She then jumped out of her bed and looked out her window to find a fire coming from her two trash bins, which was spreading up a pine tree in her front yard.

Warwick Fire extinguished the blaze when they arrived on scene. Photos were then taken of the melted trash bins, ruined grass and burned pine tree.

Both the resident and neighbors advised that they did not see or hear a vehicle in the area prior to the fire, and believed that the fire was caused by someone on foot. Checks were run throughout the neighborhood with negative results. There are currently no suspects or witnesses.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WITH GUN

On March 19 at approximately 2:27 a.m., Officer John Curley was on routine patrol traveling northbound on Post Road when he observed the vehicle in front of him traveling in the middle of the roadway, straddling both the right and left lanes.

The officer followed the car, which then crossed the double yellow lines into the southbound side. He then initiated a traffic stop in the area of Post Road and Elmwood Avenue. There he met with the driver, identified as Michael Okunfolami, 28, of 172 Massachusetts Avenue in Providence, who stated he was coming from a friend’s house and was heading home.

Okunfolami was asked to provide his license, registration and insurance, and informed the officer that he did not have his license on his person. He then reached across the vehicle to the glove compartment to retrieve the other documents, and when he opened the compartment Officer Curley immediately observed a silver revolver type firearm with a black grip.

According to the report, Officer Curley then told Okunfolami to place his hands on the steering wheel. He complied and told the officer that the item was only a pellet gun. The officer then requested backup, and asked Okunfolami to step from the vehicle.

Okunfolami was taken to the side of the road, where a Terry pat was conducted on him. When asked why the firearm was in the car, Okunfolami stated he had just purchased it at Walmart and that he kept it in the car for fun. While speaking the officer observed signals that the suspect may be intoxicated and asked Okunfolami how many drinks he had that evening, to which he replied that he “had a couple.”

When assistance arrived the gun was examined and discovered to be a six shot Bear River revolver pellet gun with the hammer mechanism in the back position. Officer Curley removed six shell casings from inside its cylinder. The firearm did not contain an orange tip or any other identifying marks to indicate that it was a pellet gun, and had a similar weight of a real firearm.

Okunfolami consented to a portable chemical breathalyzer test, which produced reading of .114 as a blood alcohol content. He also agreed to partake in a series of standardized sobriety tests.

Based on the officer’s experience and training, it was later determined that Okunfolami was unfit to safely operate a motor vehicle and he was arrested. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed. He later refused to partake in a chemical breathalyzer test.

Okunfolami was charged with driving under the influence, first offence, refusal to submit to a chemical test, carrying a weapon while intoxicated, laned roadway violations and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. He was later released to a sober adult. 

SHOPLIFTING

Officer Walter Larson along with Officer Christian Vargas were dispatched to the Bald Hill Road Sears on March 19 in reference to a shoplifting in progress.

While en route to the scene, dispatch advised that a Hispanic male wearing a black jacket and red hat had exited the store and was heading southbound on East Avenue, where he went up the hill past Wendy’s heading towards CCRI. It was also advised that the store’s loss prevention department had recovered the items taken but still wished to pursue charges.

Approximately five minutes after the officer’s checked the area, it was relayed that the store had reviewed surveillance video and had observed the suspect getting into an older model white Subaru.

Officer Larson met with loss prevention, and obtained the car’s make and plate number from a member of the security team. The security team also informed the office that $120 worth of shoes were taken by the suspect, but that he threw them on the ground as he ran to the vehicle.

The case was forwarded to detectives for further review.

LARCENY

Officer Michael Walker met with a victim in police headquarters on March 19 around 10:30 a.m. for a report of a stolen wallet and cell phone.

The woman stated to the officer that on March 18 at approximately 5:15 p.m., she left her purse in a dressing room in the Warwick Mall Old Navy. When she went back to retrieve it at approximately 6 p.m., she discovered that staff had found her purse, however her purple Vera Bradley wallet was missing.

Inside the wallet was her driver’s license, visa, debit and store cards, her health insurance card, membership passes to Six Flags, an Android cell phone and $120 in cash.

The victim said she does wish to press charges if a suspect is located. Currently there are no suspects.

POSSESSION

Officers Christian Vargas and Stephen Major were dispatched to the Bald Hill Road Walmart on March 18 around 5:38 p.m. for a report of a male walking out of the store’s garden section with a shopping cart full of un-purchased goods.

At the scene, the officers observed that members of the store’s loss prevention team had detained the suspect, later identified as Arman Tovmasian, 43, of 15 Stone Bridge Court in Cranston, who was being cooperative.

According to store security, Tovmasian was observed in various parts of the store placing merchandise in his carriage. Among the items taken were cell phones and chargers, knives, car covers and food and drink items, with a total value of $277. He then passed all points of sale without attempting to pay.

Tovmasian was arrested and transported to police headquarters, where a body search was conducted. A small gray plastic item was discovered containing Suboxone. Tovmasian advised that he did not have a prescription for it and that it was not his. He was charged with one count of shoplifting and one count of possession of a schedule I-V controlled substance.

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