CRANSTON, RI — Cranston Police report they have arrested a second Warwick ATV rider involved in a New Year’s Day attack on CPD officers by an organized gang of ATV and motorcycle riders, charging him for using his helmet to smash out a police cruiser window.
The arrest was conducted late last night.
At approximately 3:54 p.m. that day, an officer patrolling in a marked cruiser spotted about 30 motorcycles and ATVs on Atwood Avenue in Cranston. The riders were driving recklessly with “complete disregard” for other drivers, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding and ignoring traffic signals at intersections, according to police.
A motorcycle rider with no license plate abruptly stopped and positioned her vehicle to block traffic on Atwood Avenue before dropping it to the middle of the road.
When the officer stopped his cruiser and approached the rider on foot, she, later identified as Shyanne Boisvert, age 23, of 20 Hurdis Street (Apt. 19), North Providence, pushed the officer. The officer took her to the ground to place her in custody. While the officer was kneeling in the roadway to handcuff Boisvert, several of the other riders began to circle him with their vehicles in a threatening manner.
One ATV rider, later identified as Eduardo Rivera, 33, of 20 Modena Drive, Warwick, RI, revved his engine and lurched forward, riding over the back of the officer’s legs. Another rider smashed out the rear window of the cruiser. Officers pursued Rivera as the other riders headed down side streets, and eventually apprehended him and another rider who aided his flight from officers after he crashed his ATV.
Police did not apprehend the rider who had smashed out the window that day, but the CPD Detective Division developed information that led to the execution of a court authorized search warrant at the home of Nicholas E. Zabawar, 19, of 21 Sandlewood Avenue, Warwick, RI.
Detectives seized the red Honda motorcycle that Zabawar was riding that day. It was located by detectives in a detached garage on the property along with several pieces of evidence linking him directly to the crimes of vandalism and eluding police, the CPD reported. Zabawar was identified in surveillance video of the attacks, seen taking his motorcycle helmet and smashing the rear hatch window of the cruiser, according to police.
“These violators continue to deny and pass culpability while showing no signs to cease this dangerous and reckless behavior that continues to endanger the motoring public as well as themselves. We will continue to track down all violators of the law in this case and gradually we will apprehend all involved as we continue to investigate this incident. The Cranston Police has been contacted by many residents and witnesses who are fearful of this activity and have offered their assistance. The Cranston Police plan on making more arrests in this case as the investigation continues,” said CPD Maj. Todd Patalano.
Cranston Police were assisted by the Warwick Police Department in the execution of the search warrant at Zabawar’s home. The CPD charged Zabawar with vandalism and reckless driving/eluding police.
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