Week in Review: Top Five Crime Stories

COVENTRY, RI—More than five crime stories contended for this week's worst offenses list. We start with a hit-and-run accident that killed a 19-year-old Coventry teen early Monday morning.

1. Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Coventry Teen

Matthew O'Gara, 19, was walking down Arnold Road with a friend to the Cumberland Farms when he was hit by a truck shortly after midnight. Rescue workers started life-saving measures at the scene, the fire department said, but O'Gara later died at the hospital. The driver fled.

Related Story: Fatal Coventry Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested

Police had a description of a dark colored truck with a snow plow attached. They also put out surveillance footage and asked for tips from the public. Then on Wednesday night, they arrested William Fallon, 34, of Coventry, and charged him with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Police were determined to find the driver. According to Col. John MacDonald, the police chief, detectives investigated "well over 100 leads in a 48 hour period." He also thanked the community for the tips and the state police for assistance.

2. Bristol Man Charged with Grandmother's Murder

On Tuesday, a "likely homicide" turned into an official charge. Bristol police went to Rhode Island Hospital to arraign Raymond Paiva, 24, of Bristol. He is accused of murdering Eudora Gustafson, his grandmother.

Related Story: Murder Charges Brought Against Grandson

Her suspicious death was under investigation from Feb. 10 when her body was discovered in her home. Paiva was in the hospital being treated for a gunshot wound suffered when a Providence police officer captured him on Dec.10 after a chase that ended near Charles Street and Branch Avenue. The state medical examiner's office had not released the official cause of death at the time of the last story update.

3. Johnston Father Accused of Beating Infant Son

Also Tuesday, Johnston police charged a 21-year-old man with child abuse after his baby boy was brought to Hasbro Children's Hospital with leg fractures and an abdominal injury. The child is expected to survive.

Related Story: Baby Beaten: Child Survives But Johnston Father Charged

4. Cranston Man Sentenced to Prison Time for Killing Yorkshire Terrier

Nicola Patalano, 60, of Cranston, was sentenced to two years (with 4 months to serve in prison) for killing Missy, a 10-lb. Yorkshire Terrier, by clubbing her with his cane. Missy was out for a walk with her owner and got off the leash. She ran after Patalano's dog; and although Missy never touched the other dog, Patalano beat her to death, while the owner cried and begged him to stop. It happened around Thanksgiving in 2014.

Related Story: He Beat a Yorkshire Terrier to Death: Now He'll Do Prison Time

5. State Police Recover Boxes of Stolen Pampers

A delivery driver decided to sell $90,000 worth of diapers and not take them to the Amazon Distribution Center in Fall River, Mass., as he had originally agreed. State police raided a storefront on Smith Street and a home in Cranston and recovered some of the missing cargo, but 600 boxes are still in the wind. Two suspects have been arrested, and a third suspect is being sought.

Related Story: State Police Raid Cranston Home for Stolen Diapers

Other crime stories of note this week:

Ex-New England Patriots Star Charged with 4 Felonies

Former Non-Profit Head Charged with Embezzlement

Suspects Stole Snowblower

Search on for Two Missing Sex Offenders

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