PHONE SCAM

A New York man is facing multiple charges after allegedly attempting to defraud a senior citizen through a phone scam.

Luis Valdez, 23, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested Sept. 13 and charged with identity fraud, obtaining money under false pretenses and conspiracy, according to a statement from Detective Lt. Scott Robillard. His bail was set at $1,000 with surety and his next court appearance is scheduled for December.

According to Robillard, police received information on Sept. 13 that a package containing money was set to be delivered locally. The package is said to have contained money sent by a 94-year-old California resident who, as a result of a phone scam, had been led to believe that their grandson had been arrested in Rhode Island and $8,500 was needed for bail.

Police say Valdez attempted to claim the package at a Warwick facility using a false New Jersey identification card. At that point, he was arrested.

FRAUD

At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, Officer Rose E. Michel met with a reporting party at Warwick Police headquarters regarding a fraud complaint.

The reporting party told Michel that her wallet had been stolen on Sept. 6 while she was at the Dave’s Market location in Smithfield. Later that night, she discovered that a fraudulent $345 purchase had been made on her Kohl’s credit card at the store’s location at 650 Bald Hill Road in Warwick.

A report was also filed with Smithfield Police. The matter was documented and forwarded to detectives.

LARCENY

At approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sept. 9, Officer Alfred J. Silveira and other officers responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress on Fair Street.

While searching the area for potential suspects, Silveira observed a person walking in the middle of the road on Toledo Avenue and Sabin Street.

Silveira made contact with the man, who was wearing dark clothing and was observed to be in possession of three Ray-Ban sunglasses cases and a pair of black gloves.

Silveira reports that he suspected the man of involvement in criminal activity “due to the recent string of car larcenies in this area.” The man was taken into custody, at which point he is said to have acknowledged taking multiple pairs of sunglasses from a vehicle on Toledo Avenue. Officers responded to the address and confirmed with the homeowners that the sunglasses had been taken from their vehicle, which had been unlocked.

Angel Ballista, 22, 77 Scranton Ave., Warwick, was arrested on a charge of larceny under $1,500 and transported to Warwick Police headquarters for processing. He was later transported to Third Division District Court.

SHOPLIFTING

Shortly after noon on Sept. 6, Officer Nicholas J. DiNardo and other officers responded to the Kohl’s department store at 650 Bald Hill Road for a report of a shoplifting incident in progress. Dispatch advised that loss prevention personnel from the store had followed the suspect on foot through the parking lots and onto Route 2 north. DiNardo located the suspect under the Interstate 295 overpass and took her into custody.

According to a loss prevention associate from Kohl’s, the woman had been observed selecting various items from the women’s apparel section. She then concealed the items, both on the sales floor and in a fitting room, before exiting the store without making any attempt to pay. The combined value of the various clothing and handbag accessory items was provided as $618.50.

Radhika Vora, 30, 5 Exchange St., Apt. 718, Providence, was arrested on a charge of shoplifting and transported to Warwick Police headquarters for processing. She was later released with a summons to appear in Third Division District Court.

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Just before 6 p.m. on Sept. 8, Officer Evan E. Johnson and other officers responded to the Macy’s location at Warwick Mall for a reporting of a shoplifting incident in progress. Dispatch advised that loss prevention personnel had followed the subjects involved out of the store and across Greenwich Avenue but had been unable to locate them.

At the scene, a loss prevention associate told Johnson that a woman had been observed selecting multiple items, including fanny packs, jewelry and male fragrances. She was also observed in the company of a man while in the store.

The loss prevention associate said the woman then left the store, passing all points of purchase without making any attempt to pay. She is said to have dropped some of the items when confronted by loss prevention personnel. The man in her company then retrieved those items before the two left the scene.

According to loss prevention, $267.96 worth of stolen items were recovered and $173.96 worth of items were not recovered.

The matter was documented and security camera footage was entered into evidence.

VANDALISM

At approximately 9:40 a.m. on Sept. 9, Officer Julio C. Benros responded to the Trafalgar Apartments at 5300 Post Road for a report of vandalism to a motor vehicle.

At the scene, the reporting party showed Benros the damage to the right rear section of her vehicle. The damage “was consistent with damage caused by a sharp-pointed instrument (possibly a key),” according to the officer. The reporting party indicated the damage had likely occurred sometime between 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 and the morning of Sept. 9.

No suspects were immediately identified. The matter was documented.

WARRANTS

Just before 5 p.m. on Sept. 7, Officer Anthony J. D’Abrosca was conducting a routine patrol when he observed a motor vehicle operator not wearing a seatbelt while traveling north in the area of Bald Hill and Toll Gate roads. A check of the vehicle’s registration found its listed owner was wanted on two active bench warrants issued from Superior Court.

D’Abrosca initiated a motor vehicle stop and made contact with the operator, who was confirmed to be the owner listed on the vehicle’s registration.

Christian L. Vega, 31, 335 Hartford Ave., Apt. 806, Providence, was taken into custody on the warrants and transported to Warwick Police headquarters for processing. He was later transported to the Adult Correctional Institutions.

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At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 10, Officer Jeremy T. Smith was conducting a routine patrol at Warwick Mall when he was approached by a man who requested a ride to the Kohl’s department store on Bald Hill Road.

“The subject immediately handed me his license and requested that I pat him down and [he] be transported,” Smith writes in his report. A subsequent records check found the man was wanted on an active arrest warrant issued from Providence Police.

Israel Fuentes, 56, 157 Willow St., Apt. D15, Providence, was taken into custody on the warrant and transported to Warwick Police headquarters for processing. He was later transferred to the custody of Providence Police.