NK Police Log: DUI Suspect Drives Onto Stranger's Lawn

DUI Suspect Drives Onto Stranger's Lawn

Gretchen M. Trutza, 55, of 140 Signal Ridge Way in East Greenwich, was arrested Feb. 22 at 7:44 p.m. on charges of drunken driving and refusing to submit to a chemical test.

While on patrol, an officer allegedly saw Trutza’s Jeep turn right onto West Allenton Road without stopping at the red light. As the officer followed Trutza’s vehicle, he noticed that her hazard lights were on. According to reports, Trutza made an “abrupt left turn” onto Lawnwood Road and immediately turned on to the front lawn of 1 Lawnwood Road before coming to stop.

When the officer asked Trutza why she was driving with her hazard lights on and why she stopped on the front lawn of someone’s house, Trutza allegedly stated that she did not know. The officer also noted that Trutza smelled of alcohol and had “severely bloodshot and watery” eyes.

According to reports, when Trutz was asked to exit the vehicle, she wasn’t wearing any shoes and fumbled to get them back on. Trutza allegedly refused to take a field sobriety test, a preliminary breath test and refused to put her hands behind her back to be placed under arrest. According to police, Trutza refused to answer all alcohol-related questions and was resistant during questioning at the North Kingstown Police Department, often not replying or “giving sarcastic answers.”

She was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Third District Court on March 6. 

Suspect Breaks into Cars at Area Gyms

A suspect broke into cars at both Planet Fitness and the West Bay YMCA and another in East Greenwich around 5 p.m. on Feb. 16. A witness to the East Greenwich incident told officers that the suspect was a white, middle-aged man who fled in an older white sedan. A Ford Explorer was broken that evening after its driver was inside at Planet Fitness. According to police, the suspect broke the SUV’s window and stole a laptop case that was lying on the floor on the passenger side of the car, making away with a laptop, $400 in cash, two Washington Trust debit cards, a Visa card, a smartphone and other cards.

Around the same time, another car was broken into outside of the . The driver said the window was smashed in and that her cell phone, GPS system and purse (containing credits cards and $2,500 in cash) were stolen.

Wakefield Woman Charged With Shoplifting From Kohl's 

Danielle L. Cushing, 23, of 52 Aspen Road in Wakefield, was arrested Feb. 23 at 4:38 p.m. on charges of shoplifting from .

Cushing allegedly tried to steal a pair of $30 sunglasses from the store. According to a store employee monitoring the situation, Cushing entered a dressing room with the sunglasses, but was seen exiting the room without them. Another employee allegedly found the price tag discarded in the room. When confronted outside the building, Cushing allegedly pulled the sunglasses out of her purse.

NK Man Charged With Possession of Percocet, Pot 

James M. Gault, 23, of 10 Mitola Drive, was arrested Fe. 23 at 11:04 p.m. on charges of felony possession of narcotics and possession of marijuana.

Police allegedly intercepted Gault and three others trespassing at Sea Tow property near Spinks Neck Beach. When police arrived, Gault and three others (whom Gault identified as being under 18 years old) were allegedly trying to leave the beach in Gault’s Jeep. According to reports, a marijuana pipe was found on Gault during a pat down and a small amount of marijuana was found in the center console of his vehicle.

According to police, officers also found a half empty can of Budweiser in the car and a baggie containing one Percocet in Gault’s pocket. Gault allegedly told police that he did not have a prescription for it and his friend had given him two Percocet pills that week because he was suffering from back pain. 

Other Arrests...

Cidalia M. Baptista, 27, of 582 Devils Foot Road, Apt. C308 in North Kingstown, was arrested Feb. 22 and charged with driving on a suspended license.