WARWICK POLICE ARREST SERIAL RESIDENTIAL BREAKING & ENTERING SUSPECT

On Friday, December 27, 2013 at approximately 1100 hours members of the Warwick Police Department Detective Division detained an individual in the Town of Cumberland, R.I. after he committed a series of residential breaking and entering.

The Warwick Police initiated an investigation after a residential break occurred in Warwick on December 12th at 91 Falcon Ave. The investigation revealed a neighbor’s home surveillance system captured an image of a vehicle possibly involved in the break. 

A subsequent investigation identified the vehicle. During an undercover surveillance the vehicle and operator were tracked to locations where residential breakings and entering occurred. The vehicle was also tracked to an area pawn shop.

The vehicle and operator were detained and the Cumberland Police Department was summoned to respond and assist in the arrest.
 
The motive for the residential breaking and entering was determined to be narcotics dependency.

The suspect, identified as George Bouffard, age 56, of 49 Sumner Street in Pawtucket, was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple counts of breaking and entering.

The Warwick Police Department was assisted in the investigation by Cumberland, Lincoln and Cranston Police Departments.
 
Any police department requesting or persons with information related to the investigation is requested to contact the Warwick Police Department Detective Division at (401)468-4233.

SNOW & ICE ON SIDEWALKS

Safety Alert

Pursuant to the provisions in the following City of Warwick Ordinance, the Warwick Police Department is reminding residents of their responsibility to remove snow and ice from sidewalks throughout the City but especially within School zones.  The Police Department as well as various other City departments have received numerous complaints and will be conducting follow ups after providing notice to its residents to ensure compliance with the City ordinance in an effort to maintain public safety.   
 
SNOW AND ICE ON SIDEWALKS
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Cross References: Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 70-102. Removal of snow required.
(a) The owner, owner-designated occupant, or any person having the care of any building or lot of
land bordering on any street, highway, square or public place where there is a sidewalk or sloped area with a
curb cut for handicap access shall, within the first 24 hours after any snow has ceased to fall, cause the snow to
be removed from the sidewalk and sloped area with a curb cut for handicap access adjoining such building or
lot of land.
(b) The owner, owner-designated occupant, or any person having the care of any building or lot of
land bordering on any street, highway, square or public place, which lies within a school zone where there is a
sidewalk or sloped area with a curb cut for handicap access shall, if said building or lot of land is a commercial
property, within the first four hours of daylight of a school day, after any snow has ceased to fall, cause the
snow to be removed from the sidewalk and sloped area with a curb cut for handicap access adjoining such
building or lot of land. If the building or lot of land is residential, then the snow shall be removed within the
first 12 hours of daylight of a school day, after any snow has ceased to fall. For any day other than a school day,
the provisions of subsection (a) shall apply.
(Code 1971, § 19-82; Ord. No. 0-96-13, 2-20-96; Ord. No. O-05-37, § I, 12-13-05)
Sec. 70-103. Penalty for failure to remove snow.
(b) In case of neglect to act as required by section 70-102(b), the person chargeable with such duty
shall be punishable as provided in section 1-4, and each and every day after the expiration of the applicable time
limit imposed by section 70-102(b) that the snow shall remain on such sidewalk shall constitute a separate
offense.
Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $100.00 for the first and second offense by a person.
The fine may be paid by mail or in person at the city municipal court. Upon the third and each subsequent
violation of this section, a person shall be subject to the penalties set forth in section 1-4 of the Code.
(Code 1971, § 19-83; Ord. No. O-00-16, § I, 5-11-00; Ord. No. O-05-37, § II, 12-13-05)

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMANT

The Warwick Police Department would like to remind residentsto lock windows and doors to their homes. Police handle several burglary reports per month, and for many reasons, this time of year attracts thieves. Some tips for keeping your home safe include:

Locking ALL doors

Having exterior lighting to illuminate your yard and property

Clearing high shrubbery from windows

Never leave spare keys hiding outside your home

Have friends and neighbors collect mail and newspapers if you are going to be away a few days

Have friends and neighbors shovel snow if you are going to be away a few days

Have a neighbor park in your driveway while away

Call police if you notice any suspicious vehicles or people in your neighborhood

Police also warn people to lock their cars, even while parked outside your home. An unlocked car is too inviting for thieves who prey on rummaging through vehicles searching for valuables. If you are out shopping at night, park in a well lit area as close to the store as possible. When returning to your car, look around to see if anyone is following you or standing near your car. If you see anything suspicious, return to the store and notify an employee or call police.

Warwick Police complete investigation into pedestrian that was struck and killed.

Warwick, RI- The Warwick Police responded to a car and pedestrian accident in the area of 1811 Warwick Ave. at 1721 hours on December 4, 2013.  The Traffic Division’s Accident Reconstruction Team investigated the accident.  The accident involved one vehicle operated by Raymond Joutras, a 21 year old male from Sweet St. in Warwick, and the pedestrian, a 49 year old female identified as Juanita Jefferis of Hope St. in Bristol.  The pedestrian was transported to Rhode Island Hospital by Warwick Fire Rescue where she later died.

The investigation showed that the operator of the vehicle was travelling south on Warwick Ave. in the area of the Jamestown Apartments and the pedestrian was crossing the road in an easterly direction toward a bus stop when the collision occurred.  The pedestrian was not in a marked cross walk and there is no traffic signal at the location of the crash.  During the course of the investigation, investigator’s ruled out speed, driving under the influence, mechanical issues, or distracted driving as possible causes of the crash.   

The investigation concluded that there was no wrong doing by the operator and no charges will be filed in this case.