Police Log: March 11 to March 14

Johnston man charged with hate crime:

Patrolman Matthew Leveillee, along with several other Johnston police officers, responded to 39 Dale Ave. in response to a vandalism complaint.  The victim reported that when he arrived home on Friday, March 11 after 8:30 p.m. the sliding glass door at the rear of his condominium was smashed. The victim told Leveillee that a neighbor informed him that she heard the glass break and when she looked out she saw Vincent B. Smith running from the area. The victim told Leveillee that a few hours before this incident Smith allegedly shouted at him, “the f——t’s home,” according to Leveillee’s report.

After Smith was placed in custody, he made “numerous derogatory statements” directed at the victim’s alleged sexual orientation, according to Sgt. Seth D. Crosby’s report.  The victim confirmed that he is gay and the crime was classified as a “hate crime” because of Smith’s alleged motivation.

Smith, 49, of 39 Dale Ave., Johnston, was arrested on a charge of vandalism/malicious injury to property with a hate bias. He was arraigned and held at the ACI with bail set at $1,000 surety. When Smith is released he may not have contact with the victim.

Club sign vandalized:

Patrolman Michael Protano was on a fixed post Sunday, March 13 around 10:30 p.m. when he heard loud yelling and saw three men shouting outside of Club Bebeto at 31 Greenville Ave. He continued to observe the men when he heard a loud bang and saw that the front sign for the club was split in half by one of the men. Protano notified the police department of the incident and his location and responded to the club parking lot along with other officers.

The three men had slurred speech and appeared to be very intoxicated when the officers asked them who was responsible for breaking the sign, according to Protano’s report. Club Bebeto Owner Guillermo Vargas said Jairo Gonzalez was the individual who broke the sign. Vargas told Protano that the three men entered the club and were not served alcohol because they were intoxicated. The men were escorted out of the club and that is when Gonzalez allegedly broke the sign.

One of the men, Daniel Chavez, argued with the officers at the scene and would not comply with officers’ requests, according to Patrolman Kevin Brady’s report. Chavez yelled at the patrons who had gathered around to see what the disturbance was, and then he walked into the road and was nearly struck by a passing car.

Chavez, 27, of 143 Belevue Road, Providence, was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct. Gonzalez, 31, of 197 Carpenter St., Providence, was arrested on a charge of vandalism/malicious injury to property and disorderly conduct.