Recent Posts in Theft Category

Police Chief Released from Prison

As reported by Donita Naylor in the August 22, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, former North Providence Police Chief Whiting has been released from prison. He was originally sentenced to serve six (6) months on a felony larceny and criminal solicitation charges. He was released from the ACI after serving nearly two (2) months, 58 days at the ACI. He was originally sentenced to four and half ...

Two Men Arrested in Charity Scam

As reported in the July 27, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, the Cranston Police Department have arrested two (2) men in connection with a charity scam. The men are accused of soliciting donations for a cancer charity at a local church festival. Unfortunately, the men were not authorized to collect such donations. One man was arrested at the church festival. The second man recently turned ...

Police Chief's Sentence Upheld

As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the July 7, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, Judge Procaccini previously sentenced former North Providence Police Chief Whiting to six (6) months imprisonment for felony larceny and criminal solicitation. The Judge recently heard arguments to reduce the sentence due to the Chief’s martial and medical problems at the time of the incident. The Judge upheld ...

Rhode Island Grave Robbers

As reported by Alicia Pina in the July 2, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, two (2) men have been arrested and charged with receiving stolen goods and conspiracy. The men are accused of stealing brass markers and vases from a local cemetery in West Warwick. The men stole the items and sold them to a scrapyard in Johnston. The value of the markers and vases exceeded $20,000. Another grave ...

Police Chief Conviction Upheld

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the May 27, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, the former North Providence Police Chief’s felony conviction was upheld by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. In 2012, the Chief was convicted of felony larceny in Superior Court. He was sentenced to five (5) years imprisonment with six (6) months to serve. His sentence was stayed pending his appeal to the Supreme ...

Former North Smithfield Cop Arrested

As reported by Richard Salit in the January 22, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, a former North Smithfield police officer has been arrested and charged with obtaining money under false pretenses. The man is accused of receiving tuition assistance for his children at URI because he claimed he was disabled. However, the man was working as an attorney at the time. The man previously worked for ...

Man Held in Armed Robbery

As reported by Donita Naylor in the January 8, 2015 edition of the Providence Journal, a Pawtucket man was arrested for robbing a liquor store in Central Falls. The man allegedly threatened a store employee with a knife and left with cash. He was later arrested and charged with first degree robbery . He is currently being held without bail. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-39-1 defines ...

Former State Representative Sentenced

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the September 4, 2014 edition of the Providence Journal, a former state representative has been sentenced. He was previously found guilty by a jury of unlawful appropriation of funds. He was found not guilty of embezzlement and obtaining money under false pretenses. He stole approximately $28,000.00 from a client. The Judge sentenced him to twenty (20) years at the ...

Woonsocket Woman Pleads to Embezzlement

As reported in the August 14, 2014 edition of the Providence Journal, a Woonsocket woman has entered a plea in a felony embezzlement case. The woman admitted that she embezzled money from the Woonsocket Municipal Court when she was employed there as a court clerk. She embezzled nearly $400,000 over a six (6) year period. The plea agreement is for her to serve up to eighteen (18) months ...

Northern Rhode Island Gambling Arrests

As reported by Donita Naylor in the August 1, 2014 edition of the Providence Journal, a grand jury indicted nine (9) people for gambling related charges. Seven (7) of them are charged with gambling, bookmaking and conspiracy and two (2) are charged with gambling and conspiracy. Another man has already pled to the charges and has been sentenced. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-51-1, ...

Attorney Sentenced to Home Confinement

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the July 17, 2014 edition of the Providence Journal, an East Greenwich attorney was recently sentenced to seven (7) years at the ACI to serve, suspended with thirty (30) months of Home Confinement and fifty-four (54) months of probation. She was found guilty of embezzling from a client and exploitation of an elderly person. She repaid the almost $130,000.00 that ...

Police Arrest Men for Theft of Brass Handrails

As reported by Gregory Smith in the October 23, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, two (2) Warwick men have been arrested and charged with attempted felony larceny and vandalism. The men are accused of trying to steal brass handrails from Waterplace Park in Providence. An eyewitness saw the men cutting the handrails and began to record them. The witness then called police. Pursuant to Rhode ...

Middletown Woman Arrested for Stealing from Beach

As reported by Tatiana Pina in the September 26, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, a Middletown woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing money from South Shore Beach. The woman was a beach employee had had been taking money from the ticket sales over the summer. She had been charged with felony larceny. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-1 larceny is broadly defined to include ...

Central Falls Clerk Arrested for Embezzlement

As reported by W. Zachary Malinowski in the February 6, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, a clerk working at the Central Falls Municipal Court has been arrested and charged with embezzlement . It is alleged that the woman embezzled over $13,000.00 from the Municipal Court. The missing funds were discovered during an audit. The State Police report that the investigation is ongoing. Pursuant ...

Newport Malicious Mischief Charge Dismissed

In November of 2012, our client was charged by the Newport Police Department with malicious mischief (vandalism). Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-44-1, malicious mischief is defined as every person who shall willfully and maliciously or mischievously injure or destroy or write upon, paint, or otherwise deface the property of another, or obstruct the use of the property of another, or ...

East Providence Armed Robbery Arrest

As reported by Barbara Polichetti in the November 25, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, East Providence Police have arrested a man for several felony charges. The man alleged robbed a Domino's while using a gun. When he tried to escape, he stole a police cruiser and then crashed it into other police cars. The man has been charged with seven (7) counts of first degree robbery , three (3) ...

East Providence Robbery Arrests

As reported by Maria Armental in the November 5, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, three (3) East Providence men have been arrested for a series of robberies and break-ins in the Narragansett area. All of the robberies occurred at homes that were evacuated due to Hurricane Sandy. The items taken included cash, electronics and jewelry. The men have been charged with breaking and entering. ...

North Providence Police Chief Guilty

As reported by W. Zachary Malinowski in the July 3, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Superior Court Judge Procaccini has found Chief Whiting guilty of two (2) felony charges. The verdict was announced one (1) week after the trial concluded. The North Providence Police Chief has been found guilty of felony larceny and solicitation to receive stolen goods. He is scheduled to be sentenced in ...

Providence Robbery Under Investigation

As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the July 2, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Providence Police are currently investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a local bakery. A man came into the bakery with a gun and took money from the cash register. He then fled the scene. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-39-1, robbery can be charged as first or second degree robbery. First ...

Governor Chafee Vetoes Cell Phone Search Warrant Bill

As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the June 27, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, Governor Chafee vetoed a bill which would require police to obtain a search warrant to search cell phones and other electronics. The bill did allow for exceptions to the search warrant requirement in specific situations such as public safety or a loss of evidence. Although not law binding, the Rhode Island Police ...

North Providence Police Chief Trial Concluded

As reported in the June 26, 2012 edition of channel 10 News, the Superior Court trial involving North Providence Police Chief Whiting has ended. The Judge announced that closing arguments would be heard next Tuesday. At the close of the Prosecutor's case, one of the three (3) charges was dismissed. Whiting was originally charged with felony larceny, soliciting a police officer to receive stolen ...

North Providence Police Chief Trial Begins

As reported by Mark Reynolds in the June 18, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, the trial of North Providence Police Chief Whiting has begun. The Police Chief is charged with felony larceny and solicitation. Whiting is accused of stealing $714.00 and then trying to cover it up. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-1, larceny is defined as every person who shall steal any money, goods, ...