Man Wanted On Warrant Runs From Officer, Charged With Obstruction

Officer James Dybala responded to 503 Manville Road at about 2:18 a.m. April 27 for a report of a disturbance involving someone inside a red truck with Massachusetts plates.

As soon as Dybala pulled into the driveway, he spotted the red truck, observing a man in jeans and a T-shirt, later identified as Joel Robles, 20, of exit the vehicle. Dybala identified himslef as a police officer and asked him to approach so they could speak.

Robles looked at Dybala and ran into the building. Dybala chased him through the structure into a stairwell, continuing up to the third floor. On that floor, Robles entered an apartment and shut the door behind him. Undeterred, Dybala knocked on the door and announced himself as a Woonsocket Police officer again. Robles opened the door, and Dybala performed a pat-down search to ensure he wasn't carrying any weapons. 

A search of Robles through dispatch revealed he had a Sixth District Court Warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear in court on a hearing for home confinement. Back at the truck, Robles' friend said the two had been talking when Dybala arrived. Robles ran away, the man said and he didn't know why.

Robles was charged with obstructing a police officer.