Police Log: June 10 to June 15

Mailbox crash leads to DUI arrest

Kristin M. Rongione was driving her 2007 Kia SUV on Greenville Avenue on June 10 around 9 p.m. when she struck the mailbox at 597 Greenville Ave. Richard
Ferruccio called to report the accident.  Johnston Police Patrolman Michael Protano and Patrolman Stephen R. Altomari responded to the accident scene.

Rongione was traveling west on Greenville Avenue before veering off the road and striking the mailbox. She drove over the grass, returned back to the road, and stopped about 300 feet west of the initial contact with the mailbox, according to police reports. Rongione allegedly admitted losing control of her SUV at the bend in the road and she didn’t immediately stop because she didn’t think she hit anything, according to Altomari’s report. The SUV had minor damage along the passenger side.

Altomari stated in his report that he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Rongione’s breath/person. Protano detected the same odor. Rongione admitted to having “2 or 3 glasses of wine” at a friend’s house, according to Protano’s report. She consented to the field sobriety test. After the test Rongione was placed under arrest. She agreed to the chemical test which resulted in a reading of .213. Rongione, 38, of 125 Pleasant View, Smithfield, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of liquor or drugs – first offense .15/greater.

Single car accident and DUI arrest

Johnston Police Patrolman Joseph M. Scichilone Jr. was patrolling the area of Hartford Avenue around 1:14 a.m. on  June 12 when he observed a 2004 GMC Denali off the road. The vehicle was located off the exit ramp of Route 6 to Hartford Avenue. Brian C. Andrade was driving the Denali when it left the road about 100 feet from the end of the ramp, according to Scichilone’s report. The driver’s side air bag deployed and the vehicle sustained “heavy front end damage” after mounting the curb, crossing a strip of grass, and striking a fence and tree.

Johnston Police Sgt. Michael J. Babbitt responded to the accident scene and spoke with Andrade. Babbitt stated in his report that Andrade’s speech was slurred, his eyes were “extremely bloodshot,” and Babbitt detected the odor of alcohol emanating from Andrade’s breath.  Andrade allegedly told Babbitt that he drank an unknown amount of liquor. “Mr. Andrade was extremely unsteady on his feet and had to use the police cruiser to maintain balance,” according to Babbitt’s report.

Andrade consented to submit to the field sobriety test. During the walk and turn test Andrade twice started the test too soon, stepped off the line six times before swaying and almost falling down, according to the police report.  Andrade
refused to submit to a chemical test. Andrade, 21, of 33 Scenic View Drive,
Johnston, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs or
alcohol – first offense and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Boyfriend steals girlfriend’s jewelry

Louis G. Cascella, 21, of 2 Greenvalley Drive, Johnston, was arrested on charge of larceny over $500 and receiving stolen goods. Cascella was questioned by Det. Brian M. Loffredi on June 13 regarding the larceny report his girlfriend filed. He told Loffredi that he did not steal his girlfriend’s jewelry. When Cascella was asked if he recently pawned jewelry he said, “No.” Loffredi presented Cascella with evidence that he pawned jewelry at Easy Money Pawn Brokers on June 4. Cascella said he forgot about that and he was pawning his mother’s jewelry for her, according to the police report. The jewelry at Easy Money Pawn Brokers was identified as the stolen jewelry and turned over to Loffredi from the pawn brokers.

Cascella turned himself in at Johnston Police Headquarters on June 14 after receiving phone messages from Loffredi stating that Cascella was suspected of stealing his girlfriend’s jewelry. Cascella admitted to Loffredi that stole his girlfriend’s jewelry because he has an addiction to oxycodone. He allegedly stated that he stole the jewelry and sold it for pills and money, according to the police report. “Cascella expressed remorse for his actions and requested help for his addiction to oxycodone and will make restitution” read Loffredi’s report. Cascella’s criminal background includes breaking and entering, larcenies, and possession of narcotics.