On-Star Theft Suspect Charged with Failing to Return Rental Car

The Johnston man arrested for stealing a car from Yarmouth, MA — which located after an On-Star operator called them — also faces one count of obtaining a vehicle with intent to defraud after he failed to return a rental car.

According to police reports, officers formally charged Pennacchia, 27, of 204 Greenville Ave., with the additional charge on June 27 at the Adult Correctional Institutions, Cranston.

Ptlm. Mark Bairos reported that he went to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car on Hartford Avenue after an employee called police about the missing car.

Asst. Manager Nicholas Nunes said that Pennacchia had rented the 2000 Chevrolet Impala on June 22, with an expected return date of June 25, Bairos wrote.

The Impala was the car that Pennacchia and his girlfriend, identified in reports as "Jess," had taken to Yarmouth before the girlfriend left him there, according to Bairos's report.

Police reported that Pennacchia from two men in Yarmouth and driving the car back to Johnston on June 24.

At an arraignment hearing held June 25 in Third District Court, Judge Pamela Woodcock-Pfeiffer ordered Pennacchia held at the ACI for 30 days after he admitted to having an open bottle of beer in the car.

Bairos also reported that he could not contact "Jess" at the phone number provided by Nunes, and that Pennacchia "is not cooperating in the investigation" into the missing rental car.

Pennacchia is scheduled for a felony screening on Aug. 28.