Warwick Man Steals Backtoe From RI Department Of Transportation: Attorney General

WARWICK, RI — A Warwick man was accused of stealing a backhoe from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), Attorney General Peter Neronha said Thursday.

Peter Dambruoso, 59, was charged in Providence County Superior Court on May 17, with possession of a stolen vehicle and driving without a valid license.

According to prosecutors, Rhode Island State Police were called after someone stole a 1998 John Deer backhoe from a RIDOT facility in Johnston on Jan. 3. Around 11:30 p.m. the next day, a Providence Department of Public Works (DPW) employee witnessed Dambruoso driving a John Deer backhoe with State of Rhode Island plates in the back of a DPW building on Ernest Street, prosecutors said.

The witness confronted Dambruoso, asking him why he was operating a backhoe late at night. Dambruoso told the DPW worker he was a state employee, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Dambruoso drove away in the backhoe, but the witness followed him in a public works vehicle. The witness called Providence police while following him. Then, Providence officers pulled the backhoe over and arrested Dambruoso before transferring him into state police custody.

Prosecutors said Dambruoso made a formal statement to state police admitting he stole the backhoe.

Dambruoso is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on Aug. 10, in Providence County Superior Court.