WARWICK, RI — Warwick Post’s Year in Review for top police and fire stories in 2025 includes the Brown University shooting suspect being sought in Coventry, a Warwick water department staffer being arrested for domestic assault, and Warwick Fire Department personnel rescuing a drowning driver from Apponaug Cove.
Year in Review: Retirements, New Leadership Named
Warwick and Coventry’s police leadership marked a changing of the guard in 2025 following the retirements of WPD Chief Brad Connor in June 29 after 27 years with the Warwick Police Department, and CPD Chief Frederick Heise on June 30 after 29 years in law enforcement.
In Warwick, WPD Deputy Chief Commander Michael Lima was promoted to Chief upon Connor’s retirement, with WPD Major Andrew Sullivan promoted to Deputy Chief.
In Coventry, CPD Chief Benjamin Witt was hired by unanimous vote at the Oct. 2, 2025 Coventry Town Council meeting.
Year in Review: Brown U. Shooting Investigation In Coventry
Following the Dec. 13 murder of two people at Brown University in Providence, law enforcement officers found a “person of interest” at a hotel in Coventry, but later released the person without charge. A manhunt continued for another several days before Rhode Island Atty. Gen. Peter Neronha announced that the actual suspect, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, had been found dead in New Hampshire from an apparent suicide.
- Brown Shooting Suspect Search Continues, Fundraising Aids Victims
- Brown University Shooting Suspect Arrested in Coventry Dec. 14
Year in Review: Warwick Water Dept. Staffer Suspended After Arrest
Following his arrest on domestic violence charges on Dec. 5, Warwick Water Infrastructure Program Manager Michael S. Dipetrillo, 48, is on leave without pay pending a City investigation. Warwick Police filed charges of felony domestic assault, domestic vandalism, and drug possession charges against Dipetrillo on Dec. 6 in Kent County District Court.
According to Warwick Police, Depetrillo assaulted the victim on Nov. 19 by throwing a metal travel mug that struck her in the head, the latest in what she told police was a 20-year pattern of abuse. An eyewitness confirmed the Nov. 19 incident, police said, which resulted in the victim needing medical attention at Kent County Hospital.
In 2024, Dipetrillo was one of many DPW managers named in a recent sexual harassment lawsuit against the city alleging violent and sexually harassing behavior, ultimately settled for $600,000. The suit noted that Dipetrillo has a history of violence and had had a violent outburst in the office. The suit also recounts an incident reported by the victim, Bree Boulais, while she was walking to her car, and Dipetrillo, threw an angle grinder at her, hitting the pavement a few feet ahead of her, in April 2022.
Depetrillo remains free on bail until a felony screening in March. A no-contact order imposed Dec. 11 was later rescinded, according to online court records.
- Water Manager Dipetrillo Arrested For Domestic Assault Dec. 5
- Suit: Warwick Sexual Harassment By City Managers Lasted 18 Months
Year in Review: Coventry Man Sentenced to Life for Child Molestation
A Coventry man was sentenced in November to serve life in prison at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for multiple counts of child molestation. On Nov. 21, Superior Court Justice Brian Van Couyghen sentenced David Ouellette, 66 to life in prison plus an additional 30-year consecutive sentence full sentence with 20 years to serve.
Additionally, Van Couyghen issued a no contact order between Ouelette and the victim and ordered to Ouelette register as a sex offender, attend sex offender counseling, and be subject to community supervision.
During the five-day trial, prosecutors proved that between 1998 and 2002, Ouelette sexually assaulted a juvenile female victim who was known to him, resulting in his conviction on seven counts of first-degree child molestation.
Year in Review: Driver Rescued from Cove by WPD, WFD
Warwick Police and Fire personnel rescued a drowning driver from Apponaug Cove on Oct. 18 after receiving calls about a car submerged in the water.
Ofcs. Matthew Maloney, Nicholas Manocchio, and Maxwell Neiley responded first to the scene and saw the car about 100 ft. from shore, with only its roof visible. After diving into the water, officers found Frank Davis, 71, of Warwick inside the vehicle, according to police reports.
The officers removed Davis from the vehicle and brought him back to shore, where Warwick Fire personnel initiated life-saving measures before transporting Davis to Kent County Hospital.
Davis passed away on Oct. 23, WPRI12 reported.
Year in Review: School Custodian Admits to Chromebook Theft
A part-time Warwick Schools custodian turned himself in July 14 after police issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of stealing 10 Chromebooks from Robertson Elementary School, first reported to police June 17.
Luis Calcano Acevedo, 53, was observed in surveillance videos concealing the laptops and then transporting from inside the building to his vehicle several days prior to the report, according to Warwick Police. At a June 14 court hearing, Acevedo was released on $3,000 personal recognizance.
Author: Joe Hutnak - editorjoe.warwick@gmail.com
Co-Founder and Editor-at-Large of Warwick Post. For Warwick Post-related inquiries or communications, email editorjoe.warwick@gmail.com
This is a test
