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Thieves Leave Oil Trail to Their Home; One Arrest, One Warrant Follows

[CREDIT: WPD] From left, David Fortier and Joshua Bickel, suspects in a Aug. 30 larceny from Seaward Boatworks.
[CREDIT: WPD] From left, David Fortier and Joshua Bickel, suspects in a Aug. 30 larceny from Seaward Boatworks.
WARWICK, RI — When Seaward Boatworks opened shop at 661 West Shore Road to discover $10,000 worth of tools and 112 boat batteries missing, Warwick Police found their primary suspects easily by following the trail of oil from the electric pallet jack they used to move the goods.

The case, as Lt. Joe Hopkins wrote on the Warwick Police Department’s Facebook page, was dubbed the Hansel and Gretel case.

“However, instead of breadcrumbs the trail was dripping oil from the stolen pallet jack used to steal away so many items. And yes it led right to the house they were staying at where after a great investigation arrest warrants were drawn for Joshua Bickel, 26 from Cranston, and David Fortier, 35 from Providence,” Hopkins wrote.

Bickel was found at the home and is being held at the ACI on breaking and entering, two other breaking and entering charges and robbery. Fortier has an active arrest warrant from WPD for B&E and cocaine possession and has not been located yet.

Police ask anyone with information on Fortier’s whereabouts to call them at 401-468-4200.

 

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 [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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