Police Log

By Daniel Kittredge
Posted 3/3/16

State police: Town man had

$112K in fake merchandise

A Johnston man previously arrested in Massachusetts after an investigation into the sale of counterfeit sports merchandise is facing …

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Police Log

Posted

State police: Town man had

$112K in fake merchandise

A Johnston man previously arrested in Massachusetts after an investigation into the sale of counterfeit sports merchandise is facing additional charges after Rhode Island State Police searched a Smithfield warehouse.

Richard Rufo, 47, of 989 Atwood Ave., was taken into custody by Mansfield police on Feb. 15 as he attempted to sell counterfeit items at a sports memorabilia show at the Holiday Inn in that community. Police worked alongside Powers and Associates of Forestdale, Mass., a private investigation firm that had been conducting a probe of suspected intellectual property violations.

According to state police, Rufo was found in possession of more than 300 counterfeit items with an estimated value of $15,000. He was also found in possession of marijuana and prescription drugs, and was arrested on multiple drug- and counterfeiting-related charges.

On the same day, Rhode Island State Police executed a warrant at a warehouse at 2 Esmond St. in Smithfield as part of the investigation into Rufo’s activities. That operated resulted in the seizure of 1,164 counterfeit items with an estimated value of $112,000.

“The counterfeit merchandise included assorted clothing, footwear and handbags,” a statement from police reads. “The federally registered trademarks included Nike, Puma, Adidas, North Face, Ugg Australia, Michael Kors, Timberland, Coach, DC Comics, True Religion, Burberry, Polo-Ralph Lauren, Monster Energy, Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and National Hockey League.”

Rufo was arrested by state police of Feb. 26 and charged with forgery, counterfeiting and altered trademark violations, and possession of marijuana. He was arraigned in Third District Court in Warwick and released on $10,000 surety bail.

Suspect sought after

using counterfeit $100

bill at Brewed

Police are working to identify a person who paid for a Brewed Awakenings purchase with a counterfeit $100 bill.

The suspect – described as a tall, dark skinned man in his late 20s or early 30s – is said to have entered the Brewed Awakenings at 1577 Atwood Ave. shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 and ordered two iced coffees. Following the purchase, it was found the bill the man used to pay was counterfeit.

Police have circulated an image of the suspect taken from surveillance video. Anyone with information regarding the man’s identity is asked to contact Detective Anthony Sasso at 401-231-4210, ext. 3146.

Traffic stop leads

to DUI charge

Patrolman Kevin Brady reports patrolling in the area of Hartford and Atwood avenues on the night of Feb. 25 when he observed an erratic operator heading west on Hartford Avenue.

Brady reports the vehicle swerved between lanes multiple times, at which point he detained it. According to the patrolman, the operator had a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath,” and had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.

The operator is said to have consented to undergo field sobriety testing, but had difficulty balancing himself and nearly fell while and after he exited the vehicle. He subsequently failed the field sobriety tests, the patrolman states.

Ricardo O. Mayorga, 51, of 565 High St. in Central Falls, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (first offense, blood alcohol level unknown), and issued violations for refusal to submit to a chemical test and laned roadway violations.

Man charged with

assaulting officer

Patrolman Derrick Palazzo reports responding to a residence at approximately 8 p.m. on Feb. 20 for a report of a disturbance in the roadway.

Upon arrival, the patrolman states he observed a man in the area walking toward Hartford Avenue. The man appeared unsteady on his feet and stumbled in a manner “indicative of extreme intoxication,” and spoke with slurred speech when approached, according to the patrolman.

The man is said to have acknowledged being involved in an altercation, but then to have become uncooperative, walking away from Palazzo and using profane language.

Palazzo reports that as he exited his vehicle, the man “became belligerent and continued to walk towards the rear of my patrol vehicle,” and then “began to run around to the front of my vehicle, attempting to open the driver’s side door.” The patrolman states he pushed the door shut to prevent the man from gaining entry, which caused the man to stumble backwards. The man then swung at the patrolman, striking him in the face with a closed fist.

Palazzo reports he tackled the man to the ground, and the man continued to resist. A neighbor came to provide assistance, and additional police personnel subsequently arrived on scene.

Steven Santurri, 60, of 63 Wilson Ave. in Johnston, was arrested and charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault or battery on a police office, one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, and one misdemeanor count of resisting legal or illegal arrest. He was arraigned before a justice of the peace on Feb. 21 and released on $3,000 personal recognizance, and was scheduled to appear in Third District Court on March 2.

Man charged with assault

Patrolman David J. Loffler reports responding to police headquarters at approximately 8:41 p.m. on Feb. 13 after a man reported being assaulted earlier that day.

According to the patrolman, the reporting party indicated he and another man had been involved in a verbal argument at a home when the other party involved “began to hit various items in the residence with a small black metal bar.” The reporting party indicated the other man then threw the bar at him – striking him in the shin – and then hit him in the head.

The reporting party told Loffler he was able to get into his room with a woman who was present at the home. He told the patrolman the other man then entered the room brandishing a knife, and there was a brief struggle. The reporting party and the woman are then said to have left the home, while the other man followed them, still holding the knife.

An arrest warrant was issued for the other man, and Sgt. Joseph Salvadore reports taking him into custody on Feb. 24 after observing him standing outside his home.

Anthony A. Mucci, 33, of 77 Borden Ave. in Johnston, was arrested and charged with a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon in a dwelling, and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

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