Police Log

Posted 5/14/15

The Police Log is a digest of reports filed by the Warwick Police Department.

COUNTERFEIT

Detective Eric Johnson and several officers were dispatched to the Bank RI at 1300 Warwick Avenue …

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Police Log

Posted

The Police Log is a digest of reports filed by the Warwick Police Department.

COUNTERFEIT

Detective Eric Johnson and several officers were dispatched to the Bank RI at 1300 Warwick Avenue at 12:39 p.m. on May 5 for the report of a fraud in progress. The bank stated that a subject was at the counter trying to cash a “bad check” (later determined to be counterfeit). Officers arrived and detained a subject, later identified as Roberto Perinho, 36, of 160 Broad Street, Providence (Crossroads). Johnson said the investigation showed that Perinho attempted to cash a payroll check issued to him in the amount in excess of $2,700. The company that is the victim of ongoing fraud is Bottles LLC, located on Pitman Street in Providence. Johnson said one of the officers confirmed through the bank and the company that the payroll check in question was counterfeit. Johnson, who was aware of past counterfeit check rings, spoke with the officer. He said this was a similar scam that was conducted throughout Warwick last year, involving Citizens Bank and several Liberian nationals. That past check ring ended with several members of that organization being charged by the U.S. Attorney. When Johnson asked Perinho how he got to the bank, he said by bus. When asked what company he worked for, he told Johnson “it’s right on the check.” When asked for the location of the company, Perinho said he gets a ride there and doesn’t know where it is located. When asked why he had a check, he said it was because he worked 60 hours. When asked how much he makes per hour, Perinho said $15 per hour. Johnson said that only adds up to $900 gross. When asked how much the check was for, Perinho again said “look at the check.” Johnson said the check was for over $2,700 and it was apparent Perinho had no employee relationship with the company. He told Johnson he gets his mail from Crossroads and doesn’t always stay there. Johnson then confronted him with the fact that he was part of a check cashing scam and asked where he got the check, but Perinho was not forth coming and offered little explanation. He was then transported to Warwick Police Department headquarters, where Johnson attempted to interview him further in the cellblock but he indicated he did not wish to speak with police. Perinho was given the opportunity to make a confidential phone call, which he used to contact his mother. Perinho was charged with one felony count of Passing of Counterfeit Check and held for the next session of Third District Court. 

DUI

Officer Brian Chianese was on patrol in an unmarked police cruiser at approximately 11:15 p.m. on May 5 when he observed a large pickup truck make a right hand turn on East Ave. Upon making the turn, Chianese said it should be noted the passenger side tires crossed over the fog line through the entire turn lane entering East Ave. As he followed the vehicle, Chianese said he clocked it at 52 miles per hour in a posted 40 mile per hour zone. He also observed the passenger side tires cross the fog line two more separate occasions, as well as the driver side tires pass over the dashed yellow line. In addition, he said the vehicle veered out of its lane of travel and entered the Route 95 south off ramp lane before immediately swerving back into the east bound travel lane, and did the same thing again when entering the Route 95 north on ramp lane before swerving back into the travel lane. Chianese said the vehicle then changed two lanes without using a turn signal entering the left hand turn lane at the intersection of East Ave. on to Greenwich Ave., crossing two lanes as it made a very wide turn. At this time, Chianese said he initiated a vehicle stop where the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of Lowe’s on Greenwich Ave. 

As he spoke with the operator, Chianese said he immediately noticed the man’s speech was slurred and that he formed incoherent sentences as to his whereabouts and where he was coming from. As the man spoke, Chianese said the odor of alcoholic beverage became stronger as it emanated from his breath. He told Chianese he was trying to get back to his hotel room at the Super 8, which he believed to be four miles away, however, he didn’t know which city or town it was in. Chianese said it should be noted the closest Super 8 motel is located in West Greenwich. When asked where he was coming from, the man said Harris Pub in Coventry, which meant he left Coventry, went through West Warwick, came into Warwick, and was attempting to get back to West Greenwich to his hotel.

Chianese said he then requested another unit for backup and asked the man to exit the vehicle and submit to a series of standardized field sobriety tests, to which he agreed. Chianese said he observed the man to be unable to maintain his balance and sway from side to side noticeably during the tests. The man was asked to submit to a breath test, to which he agreed, and registered a .09 result. Benjamin Hanna, 24, of 5577 S 850 W, Hudson, Ind., was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI due to his erratic operation of the vehicle and “extremely poor performance” on the standardized field sobriety test. When asked how much he had to drink, Hanna said he had one Shock Top from Harris Pub and when asked if his friend would be able to take control of the vehicle, Hanna said no, as he believed his friend to be under the influence as they were both drinking together at the pub. 

A tow truck later responded to the scene to tow the vehicle and Hanna was transported to Warwick Police Department headquarters, where he was afforded the opportunity to make a confidential phone call, which he did. Hanna refused to submit to a chemical test due to the fact he had failed the preliminary breath test administered on scene. He was then fingerprinted, photographed, processed, and secured in a cell. Hanna was issued summonses for DUI 1st Offense B.A.C. Unknown and Driving After Suspension of License, Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test, Speeding, and Laned Roadway Violation. Chianese said it should be noted due to the fact that Hanna had an out-of-state residency, as well as his intention of leaving the state within the next day upon completion of his job, he was held and will respond to Third District Court.  

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