Woman Charged for Narcotics is Person of Interest in American Legion Theft

A 43-year-old woman charged with narcotics possession and driving while in possession of a controlled substance last month is a person of interest in the theft of more than $1,500 from the American Legion building on Post Road on July 11.

East Greenwich police arrested Wendi Withrow, 43, of 2333 Middle Road, on July 14 when police found a small bag of heroin in a makeup bag after a search following a traffic stop.

That car was apparently used the night of the theft from the American Legion building, police said, and two detectives went to Withrow’s house earlier in the day to ask her to come to the police station to talk about the theft.

Detectives waited down the road for Withrow to drive by.

When she passed, they started to follow and saw her stop in the middle of the road. She then opened her door and closed it.

The detectives reported being concerned for her safety because they observed a man in the back of the car who is also a person of interest in the robbery and is a known felon.

Once stopped, police reportedly found a clear plastic makeup bag with two wads of Chore Boy, which is commonly used to smoke crack cocaine, along with several needles and a small bag of heroin in Withrow’s possession.

The man who was in the back seat, identified by police as Joseph Cevoli, 44, of Warwick, appeared to be nodding off, which is a sign of heroin use, and was sitting next to a backpack containing a black purse with more than $600.

Police photographed the contents of the backpack and Withrow was taken into custody without incident.

All told, she was charged with heroin possession and driving while in possession of a controlled substance.

She arraigned and released on personal recognizance and is due to return to court on Aug. 17 for a felony screening conference.

Cevoli was not arrested, though police are continuing to investigate.

East Greenwich Police Det. Lt. Jeremy Fague said that the larceny involved the taking of money from a room within the American Legion Building. It was not a break-in.