Posted on by

CPD: Kidnapper Flees Stop to Fatal Crash March 3

[CREDIT: CPD] Coventry Police Headquarters at 60 Wood St, Coventry, RI. There were 31 CPD arrests in August 2024.
Coventry Police report multiple Coventry arrests each month. Tuesday night, Coventry officers responded to a reported kidnapping, stopping the alleged kidnapper's car and allowing the victims to exit before the man drove away, to a fatal crash.
Coventry Police report multiple Coventry arrests each month. Tuesday night, Coventry officers responded to a reported kidnapping, stopping the alleged kidnapper’s car and allowing the victims to exit before the man drove away, to a fatal crash.

UPDATE: 8 P.M.: Coventry Police have identified the driver killed in a fatal crash fleeing a traffic stop as Derek Decosta, 50, of Pawtucket, RI

Also, following the report of the crash and Decosta’s death from the resulting injuries, the home on Main Street he crashed into belongs to Diane Greenstein, owner of the Bath Witch shop, selling Handcrafted Soaps & Lotions.

“Currently, we are not allowed back inside till we have the house evaluated. I did think to grab all the soap of the months that were boxed up & ready to go! And any “porch pick ups” waiting pick up. So I’ll drop those off today, & reach out to me for any pick ups.

‘I will do my best to get the BewitchMe Boxes out as soon as I can. This might delay them slightly,” Greenstein wrote on Facebook Wednesday.
She assured fans of the store that she and her family are safe, though shook up.
“Hug your family- life can change in an instant!!” she wrote.

COVENTRY, RI — Coventry Police responded to a kidnapping at knife-point of three people Tuesday night, stopping a car long enough for the victims to escape before the driver’s fatal crash into a Main Street house.

On March 3 at 10:47 p.m., Coventry Police responded to 20 Anthony Street for a disturbance. As officers drove to the address, the reporting caller told police that  three people had been forced into a vehicle against their will at knife-point.

Officers located the alleged kidnapper driving west on Washington Street and stopped the driver. After stopping, the car backed into a Coventry Police cruiser, causing minor damage.  All three passengers in the vehicle took the opportunity to get out of the car safely. The driver then fled the area in the vehicle, according to Coventry Police.

Victims Exit Car, Fatal Crash Follows After Driver Flees

The vehicle continued west on Washington Street and officers lost sight of it. Officers later located the car after it had crashed into a home at 1044 Main St. No one in the buiding was injured, but they were displaced for the evening due to damage from the crash, police report.

The driver was transported to Kent County Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

As per policy regarding a fatal crash, Rhode Island State Police and Attorney General’s Office were notified and responded to lead the investigation in conjunction with Coventry Police Department.

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

This is a test