IDENTITY FRAUD

Officer Timothy Kenyon was dispatched to a Sweetfern Road residence on February 13 for a report of a fraud.

At the scene he met with the victim, who stated she had received a notice from GC Service Limited Partnership, a collection agency, stating that she owed Sprint $831.70. The woman realized this was a mistake and contacted the company to dispute the charge. She confirmed that the account had been opened with her social security number, and stated that she had not given anyone permission to use her personal information to open any accounts.

The victim said she wished to pursue a criminal complaint, and the report was forwarded to detectives for review.

SHOPLIFTING

On February 21 around 12:45 p.m., Officer Jill Marshall was dispatched to the Colleen Haxton’s Liquors on Post Road in reference to a shoplifting.

Officer Marshall met with employees, who stated they noticed that shelf inventory was low in a couple of areas in the store. After performing a count, they realized that alcohol had been stolen. Video surveillance was then watched, and w white female with bright red hair was observed taking several bottles.

Employees had forwarded an image of the woman to other stores in the area, and a friend at another establishment stated the woman looks familiar and believes her to be the same person that brings alcohol in to return for cash. The video from the store was obtained and forwarded to detectives for review.

HE HAD A LOT TO SAY

A driver who allegedly told police, "I got a little smashed," and "I'm intoxicated," along with "If you have to, give me a DUI fine," and more, was recently arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. 

On February 26 at 1:19 a.m., Officer Gregory Accinno was on a fixed post in the parking lot of Han’s Palace on West Shore Road when he observed a vehicle traveling westbound without illuminated head or taillights. The officer followed the Nissan Quest, which he observed pass over the fog line and travel in the breakdown lane for about 50 feet before correcting.

According to the reports, the vehicle turned right at the intersection of West Shore Road and Sandy Lane, made a U turn proceeded by another right turn onto Strawberry Field Road without signaling. The officer ran checks of the license plate, which did not match the vehicle, and conducted a traffic stop in the Citizens Bank parking lot. There, the car pulled into two parking spots before striking the curb with its two front tires and coming to a stop.

Officer Accinno approached the vehicle from the passenger’s side and met with the passenger and operator, and noticed the driver was not wearing his seatbelt. The driver, later identified as Jonathan Viera, 24, of 70 Huron Street in Warwick, fumbled through his wallet and first pulled out a debit card, then said he “wasn’t going to lie” and that he did not have a license.

The officer then returned to his cruiser and ran background checks before returning to Viera, who stated he was sorry and knew the vehicle was not registered. Viera asked if the car could be towed back to his house, at which time the officer observed the suspect had bloodshot and watery eyes and that his speech was slurred. When asked, Viera said he was coming from Renegades Bar and was heading to Seven Eleven to get milk. He then told the officer he had four shots of Jack Daniels and two beers. Additional units were called to the scene, and Officers Ryan Lancaster and Thomas Duncan arrived.

Officer Lancaster, who was working a driving under the influence patrol, then began his investigation. He asked Viera to submit to a series of field sobriety tests, which he agreed to. At one point, Viera stated, “I know, I’m drunk.” Based on the officer’s observations, it was determined that Viera was unfit to operate a motor vehicle safely. The officer asked Viera to place his hands behind his back, and the suspect began to tense and attempted to pull away while yelling “[expletive] you.” Officers then took the suspect to the ground.

While on the ground, Viera continues to swear and curse at the officers. He was handcuffed, brought to his feet and taken to a cruiser, where he spat at officers. Officer Duncan suffered a laceration to his hand, and Viera was actively bleeding from his chin and left knee. After the arrest, Officer Lancaster completed exposure paperwork and went to Kent Hospital to have bloodwork conducted as he was unsure if he was exposed.

Viera’s car was towed and his passenger picked up by a sober adult. He remained violent at police headquarters, and was brought to the ground a second time. He later agreed to consent to a chemical breath test, which produced readings of .190 and .154 as a blood alcohol content.

Charges against Viera include laned roadway violations, turn signal required, no seat belt, times when lights required, operating an unregistered vehicle, driving without a license, driving under the influence first offense, assault of police, and resisting legal or illegal arrest.

CALL HIS LAWYER

While traveling southbound on Bald Hill Road in the area of TGI Fridays on February 26 around 1:15 a.m., Officer Michael Harris observed a car traveling north at a high rate of speed. As the car passed the officer’s location, his radar showed the car traveling at 51 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone.

Officer Harris conducted a U-turn and followed the vehicle, and the suspect’s car turned into the Scrub-A-Dub car wash. Officer Harris continued by the car but kept observing the vehicle. As he passed, the car reentered Bald Hill Road heading north. Again the officer conducted a U-turn and followed the car, which made an abrupt left hand turn without signaling into Lumber Liquidators parking lot. The officer then activated his overhead lights and conducted a traffic stop,

According to the report, the officers observed a heavy set black male exit the vehicle and quickly switch positions with the driver’s side rear passenger, a white female. Officer Harris monitored the parties to ensure he could identify the person driving. Additional units were then called to the scene due to the suspicious activity.

Identifications were obtained from all of the vehicle’s occupants. The driver who exited the vehicle, identified as Trevor Hamlin, 25, of 776 Main Street, Apt. 2 in West Warwick, was observed to have a flushed face and his eyes were severely bloodshot and watery. When asked why he had switched seats, Hamlin admitted to driving and said he didn’t know where he was going and switched seats with his sister to drive to their destination.

The officer then asked why this was done during a traffic stop, and Hamlin replied “I don’t give a [expletive].” Officer Harris detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Hamlin, who was then was asked to exit the vehicle. He was asked to submit to a series of sobriety tests, and stated “I’m not taking any tests, you [expletive-slur]” He then began yelling to the car’s occupants to call his lawyer.

Officer Harris proceeded to arrest Hamlin for suspicion of driving under the influence. The suspect continued to be agitated, swearing at officers and yelling to the car’s occupants. Hamlin was then placed in handcuffs and brought to a cruiser, here  was read his rights-and when asked if he understood, he replied “[Expletive] you. Call my lawyer.”

While in transport to police headquarters, Hamlin began to hit his head on the cage of the cruiser, then began to breathe heavily stating he was having an asthma attack. Officer Harris then brought the Hamlin to Kent Hospital for treatment. He later refused to submit to a chemical sobriety test. Hamlin was charged with driving under the influence, first offense, refusal to submit to a chemical test, and speeding. He signed the appropriate documents and was turned over to hospital staff for treatment.