Alleged Teen Car Thieves Nabbed

arrested three teens on June 15 after they allegedly stole a car from a Johnston home and admitted to a theft in Lincoln.

At about 10 p.m. on June 15, Robert Lupoli called police headquarters to report his 1998 Black Honda Accord stolen. Lupoli said the car was stolen just a few minutes earlier from his driveway at 62 Mulberry Circle; Lupoli told police he had left the keys in the car.  

Sgt. Megan E. Boulet reported that, on her way to the scene, the Accord passed her going the opposite direction on Atwood Avenue. The driver was heading south on Atwood and driving at a high rate of speed, according to Boulet’s report. Boulet stated that she saw three people in the car. She made a U-turn in an effort to pursue the Accord and attempt to stop the driver.

The driver of the Accord turned right into the parking lot of St. Robert
Bellarmine Church at 1804 Atwood Ave., and the three teens — two 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old — got out of the car and ran toward the woods behind the church, Boulet reported.

After Boulet called in the description of the teens, more police, including K-9 Officer Philip E. Viens and his canine Bono, arrived to search for the suspects.

Within minutes of Bono picking up the scent of the suspects, he was able to locate all three in the woods, according to Patrolman Stephen R. Altomari’s report.

One of the suspects stated at the scene that the other suspects picked him up in
Providence and parked a Dodge Caravan in the area of Mulberry Circle before they took the Accord, Altomari reported.

After finding the van parked at 12 Belvedere St., Altomari learned that the 1998 maroon Dodge Caravan had been reported stolen in Lincoln.

Police charged one of the passengers with conspiracy and resisting arrest. He was released to his mother pending arraignment in Family Court, according to Det. Richard J. Almonte’s report. The driver was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, driving without a license, resisting arrest, larceny over $500, and conspiracy.