Police Log: Restaurant Fight, Coffee Shop Mystery

Monday, April 8

3:39 p.m. – Police came upon a man passed out in his car in the parking lot at Frenchtown Park. The man, from East Greenwich, appeared to be drunk. EG Rescue was called and the man was taken to Kent Hospital.

7:42 p.m. – Police arrested Michael Rocchio, 26, of Old Farm Road, on a bench warrant after he was seen in a driveway on Maplewood Drive. Police had heard earlier in the day about the warrant on Rocchio. After it was confirmed, police arrested Rocchio, who was taken into custody, processed at the station and held for arraignment.

Thursday, April 11

12:20 p.m. – The office manager of Zilmet on Frenchtown Road contacted police to report fraud that took place after the company received an internet order for $23,807.50, of which $6,600 was to be used for shipping. Several credit cards were used in the transaction but the company learned later the cards had been stolen. The $6,600 had already been transferred to pay for the shipping, however, which was not refundable.

3:55 p.m. – An employee of Ocean State Veterinary Hospital told police about a former client who had been discharged after being abusive with employees about a year ago. He called the hospital on this day and was verbally abusive, complaining about the service he’d received. Because of that conversation, OSVH wanted police to talk to the man and tell him he was not welcome to return. The man was not receptive when police called. The hospital was told to contact police in the event they heard from the man again.

10:43 p.m. – Police arrested Robert Tarini, 28, on Main Street, and Andrew Tarini, 26, of Bell Schoolhouse Road in West Kingston, for disorderly conduct after a fight at La Masseria on Main Street that started after Robert Tarini lit a cigarette at the bar. He was told by staff to leave the restaurant if he wanted to smoke. He moved toward the door, then turned and threatened the manager. A fight ensued, with patrons coming to the aid of the manager and Andrew Tarini getting involved on the side of his brother. At one point, Robert Tarini pushed the manager into another man, which chipped that man’s tooth and caused an egg to develop over the man’s eye. Police took both Tarinis into custody and to the station for processing. They were released with court summonses and issued No Trespass orders for La Masseria.

Saturday, April 13

1:21 a.m. – Police went to Mainstreet Coffee to help a man who had fallen into the street. The man, of North Kingstown, refused treatment from EG Fire & Rescue, but seemed unsure of what had happened to him. Witnesses only said they’d heard the man fall down. At 2, however, the same man came into the police station to say he had been assaulted and wanted to file a complaint, even though he was still confused about what had taken place. After talking to a relative on the phone, the man decided against filing a complaint or leaving a statement.

11:20 p.m. – Two residents of Marlborough Street made calls to police about a barking dog in a nearby backyard. When police arrived, they found the dog still barking nonstop. No one was home. Police returned to the house several times in the next two hours. Finally, at 1:25 a.m. Sunday, the owner returned home and brought the dog inside. Police forwarded the report to the animal control officer.

Sunday, April 14

4:01 p.m. – Police arrested Michael Verrecchia, 47, for driving with a suspended license after he was driving north on Main Street and police saw him driving over the double yellow lines. After police stopped him, Verrecchia said he was only swerving to avoid a pothole. Routine checks turned up the license suspension. Police gave him a district court summons for the license violation and a municipal court summons for the laned roadway violation. Police had the car towed from the scene.

Monday, April 15

12:42 a.m. – Police arrested Zachary Fisher, 34, of Shermantown Road in Saunderstown, for driving with a suspended license after he was driving south on Main Street with a headlight out. Routine checks turned up the license violation. Police gave him a district court summons. A passenger in the car with a valid license drove the car from the scene.