Warwick, RI – Warwick Police arrested a Johnston man Sept. 2, charging him with hit and run and possession of a stolen vehicle after a shuttle driver recognized a silver Ford Escape from an Aug. 26 hit-and-run.
Officer Gregory Johnson was called to Crowne Plaza at 801 Greenwich Ave., at 11:42 a.m. to assist officers at the hotel, according to his report. A shuttle driver there told officers he’d recognized a man he’d witnessed during an Aug. 26 hit and run.
On Aug. 26, the shuttle driver said he’d seen the man strike a parked car while trying to park, causing minor damage to both vehicles. When the shuttle driver attempted to assist, he said, the man said he was going to turn around and park, but instead drove away.
Officers learned the Ford Escape had been reported stolen Aug. 19, and the report was shared with neighboring departments, but the car wasn’t found, according to Johnson’s report.
On Sept. 2, the shuttle driver said he’d seen the man, ultimately identified as Leo Lyons, 53, of 5 Van Buren Ave., Johnston, park in front of the hotel. He alerted the hotel staff, who called police, according to Johnson’s report.
The two officers who responded first found Lyons in the driver’s seat of the Ford Escape, which was parked and not running. They discovered the Florida plates on the SUV were listed as stolen from Wrentham.
Officer Johnson saw fresh damage to the Ford Escape’s right front fender, which Johnson noted corresponded to the Aug. 26 report of a hit and run. When the officer asked Lyons about the SUV, Lyons said he’d recently purchased the SUV. When the officer asked Lyons about the Florida license plates, which were reported stolen on the SUV, and about the hit and run, Lyons said, “Maybe I should talk to my lawyer.”
Johnson arrested Lyons, and searched the SUV, finding credit card applications in different names, and a hand-written bill of sale for the SUV on an envelope.
Police later learned the SUV had been stolen from a car rental business, Enterprise Holding Company at 700 Jefferson Boulevard. The manager there told police Lyons had not been a customer and was not authorized to possess the SUV.
Police charged Lyons with possession of stolen vehicle, and failing to stop after a crash.
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.
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