WPD Arrests Man Using Stolen Plates, Wrong Name

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Police arrested a man using stolen plates on his green Nissan Maxima and wrong name with officers Dec. 8 at 11:51 a.m. after a noting the reported plates on Jefferson Boulevard.

Officer Kevin Grant was doing a “Click It or Ticket” detail at Eco Gas Station, 15 Jefferson Blvd. that morning when a routine check of a passing green Nissan Maxima turned up a stolen plates report. Grant pulled the driver over, identifying them as a 57-year-old Providence man.  The driver said he didn’t have ID on him, but presented a traffic tribunal form with a name on it and provided the last four digits of his social security number to confirm his identity.

When asked about the plates, the man said he didn’t know why they had been listed stolen, telling Grant that he had bought the car with the plates on it.

Grant arrested the driver for the stolen plates and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he admitted to his actual identity, James Grassi, 57, of 112 Holden St., Providence, RI.

Grassi’s passenger, identified as Joseph LePage, 45, of 49 Douglas Ave., Providence, RI, was wanted for failing to appear on a Sixth District Court warrant, and was also arrested.

Grassi was ultimately charged with possession of stolen vehicle parts, obstructing an officer, and driving with a suspended license, fourth offense.