Police Log: Feb. 15 to Feb. 18

Disorderly conduct arrest

Capt. Robert Menard and Patrolman Luca Lancellotti Jr. responded to the Hess Gas Station on Plainfield Street Tuesday, Feb. 15 around 6:45 p.m. for a report of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance.

When the officers arrived, witnesses told them that a man was asking people for money and cigarettes. The man allegedly caused a scene by screaming and yelling at someone who said they didn’t have any cigarettes. The man then left the area walking west on Plainfield Street.

Menard and Lancellotti caught up with the man, later identified as Gerald Bergevine. Lancellotti stated in his report that he could “detect a strong scent of an alcoholic beverage emanating from (Bergevine’s) breath.” When the officers asked him what he was doing at the Hess Station he said, “I was looking for cigarettes. Why? What’s it to you?” according to the police report.

Bergevine then went on to threaten the officers by stating that he wasn’t afraid of them and he would fight them. He started clenching his fists and squared off with the officers, according to the report. When Lancellotti told Bergevine to relax and put his hands down, Bergevine addressed Menard with a five-letter expletive disparaging his masculinity.

Bergevine was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. On the way to headquarters, Bergevine allegedly continued with the vulgarities and threats to fight Lancellotti.

Bergevine, 49, of 17 Regina Drive, Johnston, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Bergevine has a lengthy criminal history including arrests for domestic simple assault, domestic disorderly conduct, domestic malicious damage to property, domestic vandalism, violation of a no contact order, disorderly conduct, simple assault, larceny, and he is currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance.

High speed chase through Johnston, Providence, and Cranston

Johnston Police Sgt. Seth D. Crosby was driving west on Plainfield Street on Feb. 17 around 10 p.m. when a white Dodge van almost hit his police cruiser head-on.

Crosby swerved off the road to avoid the collision, according to the police report. Crosby turned the cruiser’s emergency lights and siren on and turned his car around to pursue the van.  

The van did not stop and continued at a high rate of speed, traveling down Plainfield Street and then east onto Silver Lake Avenue, in Providence. The driver then suddenly turned onto Farmington Avenue in Cranston.

The driver didn’t slow down as he went through a stop sign, according to the police report. Crosby was able to catch up to the van at this time and followed it for about a quarter of a mile.

The driver then turned into Farmington Terrace Apartments, stopped the van, and got out immediately, according to Crosby’s report.

The driver, Michael J. Allard, was taken into custody by Crosby.  Allard, 29, of 58 Walnut St., Johnston, was arrested and charged with reckless driving/drag racing/eluding the police, first offense; driving after denial, suspension or revocation of license; and possession of marijuana, first offense. Allard was arraigned and released on $5,000 personal recognizance.