Middletown Police: Driver Allegedly Stole Car From Repair Shop

NEWPORT, RI—Kyle Robert Shellman, 27, of Newport, was charged with a felony for Receiving Stolen Goods after police stopped him early Monday in a Toyota 4Runner. That car, Middletown police said later, had been stolen from a car repair shop in their town. The plates had been changed.

Newport police were following Shellman initially because he was driving in the dark without any headlights. Officers saw him going north on Broadway at 12:58 a.m. and tried to pull him over, but he would not stop. He ran the red light at Admiral Kalfbus, then drove in a circle, turning left to Sagamore, then left to Canonicus, then back to Broadway, where police stopped the pursuit after he ran a stop sign. He kept driving to Festival Field and then traveled back to Newport where he stopped at St. Peter's Church. Several police cars arrived and conducted a felony car stop. Shellman followed instructions and dropped to his knees. He put down a small backpack. Police allege they found a firefighter's badge, a special police officer's badge, and a permit for a concealed weapon.

He was also charged with a misdemeanor for reckless driving, drag racing, eluding police, first offense, and cited for Driving without a license (or with an expired license). He also faces numerous traffic citations, for Obedience to a Stop Sign, laned road violations, Driving without lights, Operating without evidence of insurance, and Improper use of evidence of registration or certification.