Newport Police Log: Man Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Women's Underwear

The following reports detail the arrests made by the Newport Police Department on Wednesday, July 28, through the early morning hours of Thursday, July 29. Descriptions of all events are based solely on police officer reports provided to Patch.

Local Man Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Women's Underwear

Jose E. Mendoza, 55, of 46 Memorial Boulevard in Newport, was arrested at 6:25 p.m. Wednesday on a larceny charge at the TJ Maxx store on Connell Highway.

Police said they received a call from the store's loss prevention officer around 6 p.m. reporting that she had Mendoza detained in her office. The store officer said she'd witnessed Mendoza stuff several pairs of women's underwear and a t-shirt in his pant's pockets, then leave the store without paying.

When she confronted him outside the store, the store officer said Mendoza complied and returned inside to await police. The store officer said she located four pairs of women's underwear and the t-shirt stuffed in his pockets. When officers arrived, police say they found three more pairs of women's underwear stuffed in his boots. Total value of the stolen items was $31.42.

Police Receive Report of Shots Fired, Arrest Middletown Man on Charges of Resisting Arrest, Obstruction, Possession

Shante L. Wynn, 25, of 27 Nicholson Court in Middletown, was arrested at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday on charges of obstructing an officer, resisting arrest and possessing marijuana.

Police were dispatched to Dixon and Spring streets early this morning for reports that shots were fired in the area. The caller told police that she heard two shots fired and saw a silver-colored SUV speed away from the area heading north on Spring Street.

Police say an officer monitoring traffic at the intersection of Touro and Spring streets observed a black and silver SUV hybrid van pass by with three male occupants inside. Officers stopped the SUV at the intersection of Farewell and Marlborough streets, and as they pulled up to the curb, the officer said he noticed the front seat passenger, Wynn, lean over to the floor and raise himself off the seat. Police say the officer also noticed Wynn reaching from the center console ashtray.

When officers informed the driver of the reason for the stop, police say he denied knowledge of the incident and consented to a search of his vehicle. As they began to search the passenger compartment, police say the officer located a half burnt paper cigar in the front console ashtray that contained a brown and green leafy substance, directly from where Wynn had pulled his hand away from.

When officers confronted Wynn about the cigar, police say he became loud and belligerent and refused requests to get off a phone call. When an officer attempted to take the phone away from him, police say he attempted to run, prompting officers to pull him to the ground. After a brief moment of struggling, officers say Wynn complied and was placed under arrest.

Police said Wynn also has a previous criminal history in Connecticut, including charges of possessing a weapon in a motor vehicle, the sale of a controlled substance, failure to appear and possession of marijuana.

Officers later said they believed that the noise heard earlier was fireworks.