Police Beat: Leaving the Scene, Assault on a Cop, Warrant

LEAVING THE SCENE
A 21-year-old Johnston woman was charged with leaving the scene of an accident after she allegedly changed her mind about going to Taco Bell and smashed into another car when she made an abrupt u-turn on Hartford Avenue, leaving behind her bumper – complete with license plate –  and a hit-and-run victim.

According to police, Ashley Cote, 21, of 283 Borden Ave., Johnston, was en-route to Taco Bell, driving in front of a car driven by a N. Attleborough, Mass., woman along Hartford Avenue.

Near Robert Corio Jewelers, Cote reportedly changed her mind about the fast food and “suddenly pulled a U-turn” by pulling into the parking lot of the jewelers and back onto Hartford Avenue at a high rate of speed, according to an accident report.

As she darted back onto Hartford Avenue, she struck the car being driven by the N. Attleborough woman. Cote’s bumper was torn off the front of her 2004 Kia Optima, including the license plate.

Nobody was injured in the accident.

Police said a witness said Cote panicked and drove home, leaving the scene.

Police used the license plate to quickly identify Cote and found her car parked outside the address with heavy front end damage.

Cote refused to give police a statement and was charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident. She’s due to be arraigned in Third Division District Court on Jan. 16. She was also cited for a traffic violation for the u-turn and issued a summons for driving without proof of insurance and is due to appear at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal on Feb. 14.a

MARIJUANA, FIGHTING POLICE
A 35-year-old Providence man is facing a slew of charges after he allegedly elbowed a police officer who detected marijuana after a traffic stop for driving with a broken headlight and not wearing a seatbelt.

Police said Wendell Alomar-Cabrera, of 99 Waverly St., Providence, was seen driving a white 1999 Nissan Maxima on Plainfield Street on Jan. 3 around 4:30 p.m.

Once stopped, Officer Derrick Palazzo smelled marijuana in the car. At first, Alomar denied having an marijuana but appeared “very nervous and fidgety,” according to a police report.

Affixed to the car was a used dealer license plate out of Indiana. Alomar reportedly told police he didn’t have a driver’s license or registration for the car because he was in the process of buying it.

Almoar was ordered out of the car and allegedly tried to run away but was eventually detained by Palazzo after a brief struggle during which Alomar reportedly elbowed Palazzo in the chest and backup arrived at the scene.

Police found a bag of marijuana in Alomar’s pocket. He ultimately was charged with simple assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, driving without a license, marijuana possession, driving while in possession of a controlled substance and a warrant out of Sixth Division District Court for violating a no-contact order.

Alomar was uncooperative when he was processed back at police headquarters and was transported to Kent County Hospital after complaining of back pain.

WARRANT
A Warwick man wanted by Johnston Police for allegedly conspiring with a Cranston man to walk out of BJ’s on Stone Hill Road last April with a 32 inch TV without paying was picked up by Rhode Island State Police on Jan. 6, police said.

Micahel F. Scully, 41, of 112 Point Ave., Warwick, was charged with shoplifting and two counts of conspiracy stemming from the April incident. Johnston Police took Scully into custody from the State Police Wickford Barracks and held for arraignment.

On Jan. 5, Johnston Police arrested Kevin McMahon, 25, of 49 Penn St., Providence, after they found him in the passenger seat of a car pulled over for having an expired inspection sticker.

Police said McMahon was wanted by Cranston Police for failing to appear on a simple assault charge.

He was taken into custody without incident.