Police Log: Aug. 10 to Aug. 12

Stealing from National Grid construction site:

arrested Kevin A. Baptista and Brian P. Silva, both of East Providence, on charges of larceny over $500 and conspiracy. On Aug. 10, police received a call from a person witnessing two men loading steel beams into a Ford Ranger at the National Grid construction site. The witness described both the men and the direction they traveled after leaving the site.

A worker at the construction site informed Ptlm. Troy Maddocks that the beams were support arms with an estimated cost of $1,500 each. The worker also told Maddocks that three of the support arms were missing, according to Maddocks’ report.

The Rhode Island State Police found the truck in Smithfield, with Baptista driving and Silva riding as a passenger. State police officers also found the support beams in the rear of the truck.

The witness positively identified both men, police reported.

Baptista, 43, of 122 Juniper St., East Providence was charged with larceny over $500 and conspiracy. Silva, 49, of 120 Juniper St., East Providence, was charged with larceny over $500 and conspiracy.

Violation of no-contact order by text message:

Johnston Police arrested Alexander Pires, 39, of 75 Raymond St., Fall River, MA, on a charge of violation of a no-contact order. On Aug. 9, Pires’s ex-wife went to Johnston Police Headquarters to report that Pires had violated a no-contact order issued against him.

Pires allegedly sent his ex-wife several text messages between July 24 and Aug. 9, including one that had a threatening tone using profanity and stating that Pires wouldn’t rest until she pays for putting him in jail, stealing his stuff, and keeping him from seeing his child, according to Ptlm. Kevin Brady’s report. A warrant was issued for Pires’ arrest.

On Aug. 11, Det. Brian Loffredi spoke with Pires, who told Loffredi that his ex-wife "condoned" the text messages, according to the police report. Pires allegedly said he did not want to report to Johnston Police Headquarters but he would turn himself in at the Kent County Court House. The next day, Pires turned himself in at Johnston Police Headquarters. Pires was arraigned and surety bail was set.

Possession of marijuana:

Johnston Police arrested Matthew Saba, 24, of 8 Harriet Dr., Bridgewater, MA, on a charge of possession of marijuana, first offense on Aug. 12. Patrolman Joseph McGinn parked his marked police car at the Gulf Express on Atwood Avenue. As McGinn pulled into the parking space he saw Saba sitting in the driver’s seat of a parked car “placing a leafy green substance into a crusher,” according to his report.

McGinn got out of his police cruiser and walked up to the driver’s side of the parked car and saw a green leafy substance in a plastic baggy between Saba’s feet. McGinn asked Saba to exit the vehicle. The leafy substance tested positive for marijuana.