North Kingstown Man Charged in Connection with Cat Abandonment Case

COVENTRY, RI — Police have charged a second suspect with abandoning an animal in the case of two cats dropped off at a Taco Bell last week.

On Monday, Coventry police officers prepared an affidavit arrest warrant for Kenneth Germani, 40, of North Kingstown. He is being charged with Abandonment of Animal from a Motor Vehicle, police said Tuesday morning.

The warrant was presented at Kent County Courthouse, and a judge reviewed and authorized it.

Germani was subsequently arrested by the North Kingstown Police Department and later transported back to the Coventry Police Department by Coventry officers. He gave a statement admitting his involvement in the case and was released pending a Feb. 15 court date, police said.

On Saturday night, Coventry police arrested Stacey Derouin, 41, of Cranston. She is also a suspect in the animal abandonment case, police said.

Witnesses on Jan. 26 saw two people drop the cats off on a grassy strip near the drive-thru at the Taco Bell, 784 Tiogue Ave.

Police responded at 12:51 a.m. and confirmed the account by looking at surveillance video.

The cats were taken to Coventry Animal Control.

Police turned to social media and the press in an effort to find the two people. An anonymous caller tipped the police on Jan. 28.