In 2019, Burrillville police responded to incidents ranging from an alleged peeping Tom, to suspected distribution of narcotics.
But a few police stories stood out during the year, sparking debate while being shared by thousands of readers.
Among them were two incidents involving aggressive drivers accused of becoming violent.
The arrest of an 18-year-old Burrillville woman was announced in January after she allegedly drove her car into a vehicle carrying her ex boyfriend – along with another woman and her young children – and rammed it repeatedly.
Vanessa Arpin of Spring Street in Pascoag was charged with domestic felony assault, two counts of felony assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and simple assault, following the incident.
According to the state’s criminal database, Arpin is still fighting the case, and has a pre-trial conference scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10.
She wasn’t the only Burrillville woman arrested in 2019 for dangerous driving.
In February, witnesses reported 49-year-old Jodi Carboni to police for aggressive, erratic driving during rush hour traffic. During sobriety tests, Carboni reportedly attacked a police officer, according to her arrest report.
She was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following the incident.
Carboni was represented in the case by Nicholas Mattiello, and her charges were ultimately reduced, according to state records. She pleaded no contest to assault and was ordered to pay court costs.
Another incident involving an alleged fraud at a town business was among the most widely read stories on NRI NOW in 2019.
In November, 28-year-old Kodi Sale, a former mechanic for Burrillville Motors, was arrested and charged with four felonies after allegedly robbing both his employers and customers.
Sale was charged with theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card and larceny of more than $1,500 following his arrest.
According to the state criminal database, Sale pleaded no contest to larceny of less than $1,500 and was ordered to pay restitution. Other charges, including fraudulent use of a credit card, are still pending with a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11.
But the police story with the highest traffic in 2019 involved the arrest 11 men, including a father and son, accused of illegally driving ATVs by the National Grid power lines, with several suspects fleeing from police.
Suspects were hit with a variety of charges, including willful trespass and obstructing an officer.
Jamie L. Lynch, Jr., 19, and Jamie L. Lynch, Sr., 43, both of 1236 East Wallum Lake Road were also charged with high speed pursuit, resisting arrest and other traffic violations following the incident.
Lynch Jr. ultimately had the charges reduced, pleading no contest to eluding law enforcement.
Lynch Sr. also had some charges dismissed, but was arrested by Burrillville police once again in December and charged with DUI, 1st offense, BAC unknown, and resisting arrest.
