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Crime & Safety

Police Log: Oct. 21 to 23

This is a summary of reports provided to JohnstonPatch by the Johnston Police Department for Oct. 21 to 23. Where an arrest is reported, it does not indicate a conviction.

Driver asleep at the wheel:

shut down Simmonsville Avenue for a brief time after the car driven by Joseph Petrarca, of 4 Maria Circle, at about 1 a.m. on Oct. 22.

Petrarca allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, according to the accident report. The crash caused the pole to land across Simmonsville Avenue.

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When Ptlm. Edward Gonzalez reported that when Petrarca stepped out of his car and walked toward him, Petrarca appeared to be dazed and fell forward, face-first on the ground. Johnston Fire and Rescue personnel transported Petrarca to the hospital.

National Grid crews arrived at the scene and turned the power off to the pole. Verizon crews also responded to remove the pole from the roadway and make repairs.

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Police officers assaulted:

Johnston Police arrested Matthew L. Mekuto, 33, of 15 Nardolillo St., on a charge of disorderly conduct, two charges of simple assault/battery of a police officer, and resisting arrest. Ptlm. Kevin Brady responded to a call of a suspicious car in the area of 143 Central Ave. around 11 p.m. Oct. 21. Brady arrived at the address to find a 2001 Volvo with a flat tire. The driver, later identified as Mekuto, allegedly bent down a couple of times in what appeared to be an attempt to hide something under the seat of the car or on himself, according to the report.

Brady approached the car and asked Mekuto questions such as “Where
are you coming from?” and “Where are you going?” Mekuto could not answer the questions, Brady reported.

Mekuto also denied moving around in the car, according to Brady’s report. Brady detected the odor of alcohol on Mekuto’s breath and noticed his hands shaking as he held them on the steering wheel. Brady asked Mekuto to exit the car and if he had anything on him. He responded with “Go ahead you [expletive], touch me all you want.” Mekuto continued to use vulgar comments as Brady patted him down and said, “You ain’t [expletive] tough.”

Mekuto then allegedly head-butted Brady in the face. Brady subdued Mekuto and placed him under arrest.

Sgt. Michael Babbitt and Ptlm. Derek Parascandolo arrived on scene to assist Brady. Mekuto was seated in the rear of the police cruiser and began kicking the cruiser’s window. Babbitt opened the car door and asked Mekuto to stop. He continued to use profanity and kicked Babbitt in the left leg and knee stating, “You come any closer I’ll bite you.” Babbitt sprayed Mekuto with Oleoresin Capsium (pepper) spray and Mekuto stopped kicking, according to Babbitt’s report. Mekuto was transported to police headquarters, where he was arraigned and released on $4,000 personal recognizance with a scheduled Nov. 2 court date.

Breaking and entering arrest:

Rhode Island State police arrested Sergio J. Rivera, 23, of 3 Maple St., Providence, on an arrest warrant issued by the Johnston Police Department.
Johnston Police took custody of Rivera on Oct. 23. He was held on $10,000 surety bail and sent to the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston until a scheduled pre-arraignment conference on Sixth District Court on Dec. 12.  

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