Victim identified in fatal car crash

COVENTRY — The police have identified the man who died after a car crash Wednesday night on Knotty Oak Road at the intersection with Washington Street as 82-year-old Joseph Palin, of Scituate.

The police found Palin’s vehicle smashed against a tree in the front yard of 800 Washington St. He was taken to Kent Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 7:20 p.m., according to Police Lt. Stephen Michailides.

An initial investigation indicated that the vehicle had been traveling south on Knotty Oak Road, and on reaching Washington Street, did not stop, veered across the street, struck a sign post and the tree.

— Journal Staff

Suspect pleads guilty to firearm charge

PROVIDENCE — A man pleaded guilty to a firearm charge Thursday in U.S. District Court, according to U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

Jonathan Rodriguez, 21, of Salisbury Street, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On Nov. 12, Officer Thomas Zincone, in an unmarked cruiser, heard gunshots and got out of his car, police Maj. Thomas F. Oates III said. As Zincone approached the area where he suspected the shots had been fired, he saw a man running toward him.

The man, whom the police say was holding a silver handgun, turned and ran when he saw the officer, Oates said. Zincone said he saw the man throw the gun over a fence as he chased him, and that gun was recovered later, according to Oates.

Zincone caught the man after a brief chase, and while taking him into custody, learned that Joel Tavares, 19, of Potters Avenue, had been shot at the rear of 67 Salmon St. in the Manton Heights public housing project.

Neronha said that Tavares refused to say who had shot him. Neronha also said Rodriguez claimed he had just found the weapon, but as a convicted felon, is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.

The defendant was ordered held pending sentencing Feb. 19.

— Thomas J. Morgan

Vandal-caused gas leak empties URI building

A gas leak caused by vandals on the roof of the University of Rhode Island Fine Arts Center required the evacuation of about 200 music, theater and art students Thursday morning, university officials said.

A maintenance worker reported an odor of gas to the URI police at 9:31 a.m., said Dave Lavallee, assistant director of university communications.

University police, National Grid utility workers and volunteer firefighters from the Kingston Fire District responded. They determined that a roof-mounted heating unit was vandalized and some skylights were broken, Lavallee said.

URI police Major Stephen Baker said Thursday the intruders broke a gas line. “We don’t know whether it was broken intentionally or in the process of breaking in.”

National Grid spokesman David Graves confirmed that a pipe leading to a heating unit had been broken and that gas to the building was shut off.

The vandals entered offices, Baker said, and inventories are being conducted to determine whether anything is missing.

By 10:20 a.m., Lavallee said, the building was reopened to students, faculty and staff.

–– Donita Naylor

R.I. man arrested in drug roundup

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—A Rhode Island man was among more than 300 suspects arrested Oct. 9 in a 19-state roundup by federal agents in an operation known as Project Coronado, it was reported on Friday by the Eagle-Tribune newspaper.

Jaime “El Playe” Lorenzo, 36, of Providence, was caught in the two-day operation, and was identified by law enforcement officials as among customers or runners of Rancis Osiris Santana, 31, of North Andover, described as a drug kingpin.

Agents set up surveillance around Santana’s apartment while anticipating a drug shipment. After watching Santana and Lorenzo unload three large boxes from a car and bring them inside, the agents raided the apartment, the Eagle-Tribune reported.

They allegedly found several kilograms of cocaine, one broken open on a table for examination. Santana was indicted on drug charges in federal court Friday. Lorenzo was ordered held. The specific charges against him were not available.

— Staff report