Stories of arrests and other police activity are always well read, and 2019 was no different, as several incidents in North Smithfield brought readers to NRI NOW.
In September, a 32-year-old Johnston woman made headlines when she crashed into the Town Hall building then reportedly tried to flee, assaulting an officer before she was finally arrested.
Stephanie Plante was charged with three counts of possession of narcotics, driving under the influence, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, reckless driving, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license, 3rd offense, following the incident.
The side of the building, a historic structure built in the early 1920s, was damaged slightly in the crash.
Charges against Plante are still pending, according to the Rhode Island Criminal Database, and she has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for March 3, 2020.
In October, residents took notice after two 20-year-old North Smithfield men were arrested after one reportedly admitted to police that he was scouting the area around the power lines on Iron Mine Hill and Sayles Hill Roads, hoping to take photos of undressed people in their homes.
Mikhail Randall was charged with disorderly conduct and video voyeurism following an investigation by North Smithfield police, and his brother, Danil Randall, was charged with disorderly conduct.
Mikhail was confronted in the area one evening by police and reportedly told them that he was looking for individuals who may be undressed, in their underwear or engaged in sexual activity. His camera contained several videos and images of people inside their homes. Police also found videos and photographs of young women engaged in sporting activities at Deerfield Park in Smithfield.
Police said that Danil was found to have participated in the photographing and videoing of individuals in their homes.
According to the state criminal database, Mikhail now has a pre-arraignment conference on the felony charge scheduled for January 21.
Danil has pleaded not guilty to the charge of disorderly conduct, and has a pretrial conference scheduled for January 9.
Earlier this month, it was a tragedy that brought police to an incident on Greenville Road.
Candice DeStefani, 34, of Woonsocket, reportedly ran out of gas on the road, and was struck by a passing car when she stepped out of her vehicle. DeStefani was transported to Landmark Medical Center, where she died of her injuries.
A mother who worked as a waitress and bartender for Outback Steakhouse in Bellingham, Mass., as well as part-time delivering food for Door Dash, DeStefani was mourned by the community, and has led some to call for traffic changes on the road.
