MOTORCYCLE CRASH

The Warwick Police Traffic Unit is investigating a serious crash that occurred around 3:30 a.m., April 22, in the vicinity of 2470 Warwick Ave.

Police are asking witnesses, or anyone with information, to call 401-468-4200. Anonymous tips can be sent via Warwick Police Department’s App or by texting WarwickPD to 847411.

When police arrived on the crash scene, they found a single motorcycle, which had struck a tree alongside the Stop and Shop Market, causing the operator to be thrown from the cycle.

Officers located the male operator who was unconscious and not breathing. They began CPR and requested Warwick Fire and EMS to respond to the scene. The 31 year-old operator, later identified as  Christopher M. Lambert, of Woonsocket, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma center by ambulance with life threatening injuries.

The Warwick Police Traffic Units’ Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the crash.

Following the on-scene investigation, police believe the motorcycle was traveling north on Oakland Beach Avenue and struck a curb at the traffic island just short of the intersection with Warwick Avenue.

The motorcyclist lost control, struck a second curb on the east side of Warwick Avenue before striking a tree and being thrown from the bike, according to police.

“It is believed there was a second motorcyclist in the area at the time of the crash,” police said. “The Traffic Unit is attempting to locate that motorcyclist and anyone who was a witness to the crash. Speed appears to be a significant factor in this crash.”

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Traffic Unit at 401-468-4200. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the WARWICKPD app or text WARWICKPD to 847411

DUI

Around 2:53 a.m., March 25, Warwick Police checked on two vehicles parked on the side of Greenwich Avenue.

Both vehicles were running when police arrived.

One driver appeared to be vomiting next to his car. Police spoke to the driver and identified him as Julio Cesar Rodriguez Figueroa, 28, of 121 Summit St., Central Falls.

Warwick Police Sgt. Steven D. Moretti said Figueroa was slurring his speech and seemed confused. Moretti also spotted “numerous alcoholic beverages in the vehicle and his passenger was holding a bottle.”

Police asked Figueroa to submit to a series of standardized field sobriety tests. Following the tests, he was arrested and charged with DUI of Liquor and/or Drugs (BAC greater than 0.15); Driving without a License and Opening Motor Vehicle Doors in Roadway.

Police identified the driver of the other vehicle as Norman Boris Gonzales Rosales, 28, of 432 Walnut Hill Road, Woonsocket.

Warwick Police Officer Edmund F. Pierce III spotted a cup of beer in the center console, and the driver said it belonged to his friend. The driver allegedly admitted to having three beers at a restaurant earlier in the evening.

Police asked Rosales to submit to a series of standardized field sobriety tests. Following the tests, he was arrested and charged with DUI of Liquor (BAC unknown, first offense). He also refused citations for Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test, Places Where Parking/Stopping Prohibited, and Driving with Expired License.

HIDTA Task Force and DEA take more drugs, guns off the streets

A Providence man is in custody after searches of two Providence properties and a North Providence home.

Rhode Island State Police (RISP) announced this week that on Thursday, April 20, members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration Providence Resident Office (DEAPRO) arrested John Digiovanni, 33, of 41 Joslin St., Providence, on weapons and narcotics charges (possession with intent to deliver cocaine and crack cocaine). He was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a ghost gun and a large capacity feeding device, according to a RISP press release.

“After a month-long investigation, members of HIDTA and DEAPRO executed court authorized search warrants at 41 Joslin St. and 62 Russo St. in Providence, and 2 O’Donnell Ave. in North Providence,” according to RISP.

Police seized the following items: approximately 53 grams of crack cocaine, 47 grams of powder cocaine, a loaded Black Polymer 80 .45 caliber “Ghost Gun,” a loaded Silver Smith and Wesson .32 caliber revolver, two 30-round extended magazines, one 13-round extended magazine, assorted caliber ammunition, approximately $16,800 in US currency and two money counters.

Digiovanni was transported to the State Police Lincoln Barracks, processed and later arraigned at 6th District Court. He was held without bail pending future court dates.

Members from the RISP, Providence, North Providence, Lincoln, Middletown, Bristol, Narragansett police departments, the DEA Providence District Office, and the Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program comprise the HIDTA Task Force.