On 01/20/2016, at approximately 1017 hrs. members of the Rehoboth Police Department were able to positively identify the male subject in the security surveillance video from 132 Fairview Ave.
The identified person stated that he was going to a friend’s home in the area. The Rehoboth Police Department would like to thank you for your assistance in identifying this person.
On 01/17/2016, at approximately 2204 hrs. the Rehoboth Police Department responded to 132 Fairview Ave. for the report of suspicious condition. When officers arrived the homeowner showed them a video from their security system. The video shows a male subject wearing dark pants and a tan jacket with dark hair and a mustache and beard approach the basement door. He is carrying what appears to be a pillowcase. The male subject opens the storm door and them tries to open the door leading into the basement . He finds the door is locked and begins to walk to the front of the residence. Just after he goes out of view of the camera he stops. He returned to his vehicle and left. The vehicle the male subject arrived in is approximately a 1998 Volvo V70 dark in color unknown on registration. If you recognize the male subject or vehicle please contact Ptlm. Thomas Ranley by phone 508-252-3722 X1137 or e-mail tranley@rehobothpd.org or Det. James M. Casey by phone 508-252-3722 X 1131 or by e-mail jcasey@rehobothpd.org
On 01/09/16 at approx. 5:18a.m. the Rehoboth Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to #100 Salisbury Street in Rehoboth for the report of structure fire. It was reported to the Rehoboth Police that the single family residence was on fire and that a female occupant was able to escape the fire and make it to the home of a nearby relative. The caller further reported that the victim was “completely burned”. Officers Craig Warish and Douglas Brown arrived on scene within two minutes and confirmed the living room area of the home was engulfed in fire and a heavy smoke condition was present. The Officers were able to safely knock down the fire using portable fire extinguishers. Officers were able to quickly determine there were no other occupants inside the home and render medical aid to the 43 year old female victim until the ambulance arrived. Members of the Rehoboth Fire Department were able to fully extinguished the fire and conduct over-haul operations in the home. Upon initial investigation it was determined that the fire was isolated to the living room area of the home. The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation by members of the Rehoboth Fire and Police Departments along with the Massachusetts State Fire Marshals Office and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit. The victim was transported to the RI Hospital for treatment for her injuries, at the time of this release her condition was listed as critical.
On 01/08/16 at approx. 1020 hrs. the Rehoboth Police Department received a call from a resident of Pine Street concerning a suspicious vehicle that had pulled into her driveway and a suspicious male was seen walking on her property. Within a few moments the vehicle left her driveway and then entered a secluded driveway of a neighboring home. The caller described the vehicle as a grey SUV with RI Registration Plates. Rehoboth Officers Jasson Ferreira and Gregory DeCastro checked the area and discovered the suspicious vehicle parked unattended in a nearby driveway on Pine St. Upon further investigation the Officers discovered a rear window had been forced open and they determined at least one suspect was still inside the residence. Officers Ferreira and DeCastro quickly established a perimeter around the home and requested assistance. Several additional Rehoboth and Seekonk Police Officers arrived on scene. A short time later two males attempted to run from the residence and they were quickly apprehended following a brief struggle with the police officers on scene. Further investigation revealed the male suspects entered the home through a rear window that was pried open, once inside the men removed a large flat panel T.V. from a living room wall and gathered other electronic devices they had planned to steal from the home. The two males arrested were later identified as JAYCO SMITH, age 23, of 24 W. Clifford Street in Providence RI and ALEXIS TORRES (AKA Joelkin Rosairo), age 26, of the same address. Detective Eastwood of the Rehoboth Police Department had been investigating three similar house breaks in Town on 01/05/16 and 01/07/16. As a result of the on-going investigations both SMITH and TORRES will also be facing charges in connection with those cases. SMITH and TORRES were subsequently charged with Breaking and Entering Daytime for a Felony, Vandalism of Property (2 counts), Stealing from a building, Possession of Burglarious Tools and Resisting Arrest. TORRES is also being charged as a Fugitive from Justice out of New York due to an outstanding warrant.
On 10/20/15 at approximately 7:00 a.m. Rehoboth Police Officer Timothy Bartucca took a report from a male party who reported he had just been the victim of a road rage incident involving another unidentified man wielding a hatchet. The victim reported the male party had been driving erratically on Anawan Street (Rte.118) behind him and eventually passed him near the intersection of Anawan St. and Peck St. The vehicle continued in front of him until it came to a stop at the intersection of Anawan and Tremont Street. The unidentified driver then exited his blue Jeep Liberty and approached the victim’s car yelling at him and waving a hatchet in the air in a threatening manner. The victim reported he rolled up his window and secured his car doors fearing for his safety. The unidentified male then left the area continuing north on Rte. 118. During the course of the investigation Officer Bartucca was able to identify the unidentified male as Brian Art 34 of Dighton, MA. At approximately 0950hrs Chief James Trombetta and Sgt. Brian Ramos of the Rehoboth Police Department located and arrested Art on Anawan Street, at the time of his arrest Art was operating the same Jeep Liberty as reported by the victim. Art was subsequently booked and charged with the crimes of Assault with Dangerous Weapon and Disorderly Conduct. Art was later transferred to the Taunton District Court for arraignment.
On 09/23/2015 Sgt. Richard Shailor and Officer Adam Brown of the Rehoboth Police Department were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on Tremont St. Upon arrival officers observed two involved vehicles. The first was a Dodge pick up truck that had come to rest sideways in the roadway, blocking the west bound travel lane. The second vehicle, a Nissan sedan was off the roadway and against some trees next to the driveway of 259 Tremont Street. Both vehicles had sustained heavy front end damage. After speaking with the operators of the two vehicles and witnesses at the scene it was determined that the Nissan had pulled out of the driveway and into the path of the pick up truck. Further investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the operator of the Nissan, Alyssa Cokonis 20 of Attleboro for operating under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Cokonis was released on bail and is due in Taunton District Court on 09/24/2015 to be arraigned on the two charges. The operator of the pick up was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.
The Rehoboth Police Department would like to warn residents of an increase in telephone based scams. Police have received numerous reports from residents of various phone related scams occurring in Town in recent weeks. Several residents have reported being contacted by individuals claiming to be employees of the IRS. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. These callers can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. THIS IS A SCAM and no money or information should be provided to the caller.
This is one example of a common phone scam affecting Rehoboth Residents and citizens throughout the County. Numerous similar type scams exist and Residents should use caution and report any suspicious activity to the police department.
Note that the IRS will never: 1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
On 07/16/15 at approximately 3:28p.m. members of the Rehoboth Police Department responded to the parking lot of #569 Winthrop Street for the report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival Officer Jacob Miranda spoke with the female reporting party who stated her ex-boyfriend, identified as Luis Iraola age 21 of New Bedford, had arrived at her work (#569 Winthrop St.) and started yelling at her and had popped one of her vehicle tires in the parking lot. During the argument Iraola threatened to burn her vehicle and he proceeded to remove a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid and box of matches from his vehicle. A physical altercation ensued and Iraola lost possession of the lighter fluid, as a result, was unable to burn the vehicle. The victim reported Iraola then pushed her to the ground and returned to his vehicle driving towards the victim and also striking her vehicle. At this time Iraola fled the area and a broadcast message was sent out to area police departments to be on the lookout for Iraola and/or his vehicle. A short time later Iraola was taken into custody for the past Rehoboth incident in New Bedford MA. Iraola was later transferred to the custody of the Rehoboth Police Department. Iraola was later transported to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department Ash Street Jail to await determination on bail. Officer Miranda was assisted at the scene by Sgt. Ross and Detective Eastwood. Iraola will be arraigned in Taunton District Court on Friday 07/17/15 for the following offenses: Assault to Murder, Burn Motor Vehicle (attempted), Vandalism, A&B Domestic and Destruction of Property Over $250.
On 07/11/2015 at approximately 7:52 PM Officers of the Rehoboth Police Department responded to the area of 15 Perryville Rd. for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival Officers located the vehicle involved at the intersection of Perryville Rd. and Anawan St. Another Officer responded to the crash scene and observed a utility pole that was snapped at the base on its side and electrical wires were hanging close to the roadway. At this time Perryville Rd. was closed due to this hazard.
After brief investigation the operator of the vehicle was taken into custody and transported to the station for booking. The roadway remained closed for several hours while crews replaced the damaged utilities.
The operator of the vehicle was identified as Roger Pratas (46) of Bristol R.I. He was charged O.U.I Liquor, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle. Pratas was held on $2500.00 cash bail and will appear in Taunton District Court on Monday July 13, 2015.
The Crash is being by Ptlm. Thomas Ranley with Ptlm. Louis DiBacco, and Sgt. Norman Todd assisting.
On 06/27/2015 the Rehoboth Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle crash on Anawan St. in the area of #74. Upon arrival officers observed a vehicle approximately 20 yards off of the roadway and against a tree. The operator was already out of the vehicle and was uninjured. The vehicle had been travelling northbound on Anawan St. before crossing over the southbound lane of travel and into the shoulder. The operator then overcorrected, travelling back across the roadway, and into the wooded area. After further investigation it was determined that the operator, Joseph White, 21 years old of Somerset MA, was operating under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and later released on his own recognizance. He is due in Taunton District court on Monday to be arraigned on the charges.