PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police report from the past week.
Monday, Dec. 22
A local woman reported the possible theft of a package that the Post Office confirmed had been delivered to her mailbox two days earlier. The woman told police that close to the time the package was delivered, a girl ages 15 to 18 came to the back door of her home, asked how the family was doing, then left on foot.
A Kawasaki dirt bike was found by a resident on Hope Avenue next to a pond in Common Fence Point, police said. The dirt bike was covered with a tarp and several branches to disguise its location, according to police. No owner of the bike was found by police, who impounded the property.
Joseph Volpicelli, 47, of 32 Lawton Brook Lane, Portsmouth, was charged with domestic vandalism with malicious injury to property shortly before 7 p.m. Police said Mr. Volpicelli punched a microwave in anger, causing visible damage. Members of the Fire Department treated Mr. Volpicelli for a wound to his hand, but he refused to be taken to a hospital, said police.
Robert R. Rooke, 27, of 827 Anthony Road, was charged with being a fugitive from justice. Mr. Rooke had an active extraditable warrant out of the Hillsborough Country Sherriff’s Office in Florida, according to police, who arrested him at his home at about 9:40 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Police investigated a near head-on collision on the Mt. Hope Bridge at about 8:15 p.m. which led to the arrest of a Bristol man on a DWI charge. After responding to Boyd’s Lane at the base of the bridge for a report of a vehicle accident, police found a car stopped near the cement median, with a female driver who was visibly shaken. The driver told police she was not involved in an accident, but that another vehicle traveling west over the bridge had driven over the center median barrier, crossed into her lane of travel and almost struck her head on. Police said the median sign was snapped in half and they found a Dodge wheel cover and other parts of a vehicle nearby. Bristol police reported having a disabled vehicle in their town matching the description. Police said Robert J. Medeiros, 67, of 15 Massasoit Ave., Apt. 19, Bristol, was subsequently charged by Bristol police with driving while intoxicated.
Friday, Dec. 26
A tow truck was called in to help rescue a cat that had gotten stuck under a car at Bay View Estates on West Main Road. At 5:47 p.m. police reported to the apartment complex’s parking lot and met with the driver, Christine Bednarz, who said she was coming back from shopping when she pulled into the lot and heard a cat’s meow. Patrol Officers Patrick J. O’Neill and Jacob Silva were initially unable to free the white and gray cat — it was pinned down above the wheel well and next to the engine block — until Ray’s Towing arrived and lifted the car up with a jack. The cat didn’t appear to be injured but since it had no tags, it was taken to the Potter League for Animals in Middletown.
Two people were charged with domestic assault shortly after police responded to a report of a disturbance at the home they shared at 24 Hargraves Drive at 8:18 p.m. Arrested were Peter C. Tashjian, 57, and his estranged wife, Miriam S. Tashjian, 51. Police received conflicting stories from the Tashjians, who are separated, according to police.
Stephen C. Putnam, 42, of no permanent address, was arrested for domestic assault (third offense) and simple assault, in connection with an incident that allegedly took place at a Portsmouth home on Dec. 24. Police said on that date, an intoxicated Mr. Putnam argued with his girlfriend and then struck her face and shoulders with his hands, leaving visible injuries. A friend of the victim who lives nearby reported the alleged assault after seeing her two days later. Police later found Mr. Putnam outside the friend’s house, where they arrested him shortly after 9:30 p.m. There was also an active Superior Court bench warrant for Mr. Putnam’s arrest, according to police.
A local man said two Apple MacBooks, a wallet with various cards and about $30 in change were stolen in a break-in at his home that may had taken place over the previous two days. Police said the interior basement door window had been broken and its lock undone.
Saturday, Dec. 27
Darrius L. Garner, 20, of 106 Ruggles Ave., Newport, was charged with underage possession of alcohol after police stopped the car he was driving for speeding on West Main Road shortly after 2 a.m. The arresting officer said she found an open bottle of Hennessy in the rear of the vehicle.
A local man told police a three-wheel baby stroller had been stolen from the rear of his home sometime between the night of Dec. 25 and the following morning.
Jose A. Mosquea, 47, of 68 Bourbon St., was charged with violating a no-contact order at 1:10 p.m. Police said they arrested Mr. Mosquea for domestic assault on Dec. 17 and told him on multiple occasions that he couldn’t return to the victim’s home without a police escort. However, the victim reported that Mr. Mosquea had visited the home several times since then, according to police. Mr. Mosquea was arrested when he came into the police station to request an escort to the residence, police said.