Police Log: March 14 to March 17

Hit-and-run suspect leaves trail of evidence:

Sgt. Alverson and Patrolman Matthew Leveillee responded to a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident on March 14 around 8:30 p.m. When Leveillee arrived at the scene he saw a black 2005 Toyota Corolla resting on the sidewalk and partially in the road.

The car had damage to the rear of the driver’s side. The impact of the accident moved the unattended parked car 10 to 15 feet from where it was originally parked, according to Leveillee’s report. The alleged hit-and-run driver left tire marks along the sidewalk and front lawns of the properties from 1147 Plainfield Street to Stimpson Street. The vehicle that struck the parked car also left a trail of fluids and debris going from the crash site to where Johnston Police Patrolman Michael Protano located a silver Lincoln Town Car stopped in the middle of Plainfield Street.

The Town Car had heavy front end damage, and the driver was standing outside of the vehicle. Protano approached the driver, Donald Morris, and asked him what happened. Protano stated in his report that he could smell a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating” from Morris’ breath and Morris’ speech was slurred and slow.

Morris reportedly told Protano: “Another car hit me and took off.”

Morris was unable to provide a description of the car or the direction it was traveling, according to Protano’s report. Morris reportedly admitted to having “a few beers” at Vick’s Tap in Providence and stated that he was heading to the Kelley Gazzero VFW Post in Cranston. Protano explained to Morris that witnesses reported that it was his vehicle that struck a parked car and then left the scene of the accident.

According to Protano's report, Morris then admitted that his car struck the parked vehicle and left the scene. Morris failed a field sobriety test and refused to submit to a chemical test.

Morris, 55, of 4 Old Greenville Ave., Johnston, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence, second offense and refusal to submit to a chemical test. He was arraigned and released on $1,000 personal recognizance.

Fingerprint check leads to suspect in burglarly, two breaking and enterings:

March 15, Johnston Police Detectives Anthony Sasso and Thomas M. Dwyer responded to 77 Watcheer Ave., Providence, to speak with Joseph E. Santana, 19, about a pair of breaking and enterings that occurred in Johnston in the fall of 2009.

Detective Raymond Peters received a report from the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory on March 14 stating that a match had been found for fingerprints lifted from the home at 148 Morgan Ave. following a break-in on October 13, and that the prints were Santana's.

Santana voluntarily went to the Johnston Police Headquarters to be questioned. Santana reportedly admitted that he broke into the two Johnston homes and entered through unsecured windows at both of the residences. He also stated he allegedly used his mother’s car to commit the crimes, according to the police report.

Following his reported confession, police charged Santana with two counts of breaking and entering a house without consent. He was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Johnston Police also released the following history of this case:

Detectives responded to a call reporting a breaking and entering at 75 Ipswich St. on Sept. 24. The suspect entered the home through a closed and unsecured basement window. The burglar removed the items from the windowsill and left the items outside of the window. Once inside, the suspect stole two 32” flat screen televisions and a Dell laptop computer. The burglar then left out the front door. The BCI detectives were able to lift finger prints off of the items left outside of the basement window, but no identification was made at the time.

On Oct. 13, Johnston detectives responded to 148 Morgan Ave. for a report of a breaking and entering. The home owner returned at about 5:30 p.m. to discover the break-in. When the detectives processed the scene they discovered a garage window ajar with the screen missing, according to the police report. The detectives determined that the burglar entered through that window. The burglar went through the home and removed items from lock boxes, stole jewelry, and took valuable coins and silverware. The suspect then exited through the front door. Detective Raymond Peters was able to retrieve usable finger prints from one of the lock boxes.