NORTH SMITHFIELD – A Woonsocket man with a long criminal record was arrested for shoplifting at the Dowling Village Walmart this week, and briefly told police he was experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Timothy Ring, 43, reportedly admitted to police that he was not experiencing symptoms once he was told it would not get him out of the charges.
Ring was charged with felony shoplifting, conspiracy and habitual offender in connection to the incident on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
According to reports, Ring was one of three suspects stopped in a vehicle outside the store for stealing the NBA Jam arcade game.
Ring’s previous criminal record dates back to 1996, when he faced charges of weapons possession and driving with a suspended license. In 1997, he faced three charges of driving with a suspended license, three charges of simple assault, two charges of malicious destruction of property, reckless driving, two felony assault with a dangerous weapon charges, leaving the scene of property damage, eluding police, possession of a stolen vehicle and receiving stolen goods.
From 1998 through 2008, Ring face three charges of simple assault, violation of a no contact order, two charges of driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana, two charges of possession of a controlled substance, breaking and entering, willful trespass, five charges of domestic assault, resisting arrest, felony assault, and four charges of disorderly conduct.
From 2011 to 2019, his record includes obstructing an officer, resisting arrest, three charges of driving with a suspended license, two charges of larceny, receiving of stolen goods, interference with a gas electric or water meter, four charges of breaking & entering, four charges of conspiracy, two charges of simple assault, three charges domestic assault, violation of a no contact order, shoplifting, willful trespass and robbery.
Since January, he’s been arrested for assault, disorderly conduct, five charges of shoplifting, four charges of conspiracy and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Ring has a pre-arraignment conference schedule for Wednesday, Jan. 6.
