SK Police Log: Combative Driver Charged with DUI

Kaan P. Kurt, 21, of 93 Circuit Drive, Narragansett, was charged with driving under the influence on May 15 after he reportedly hit a pole on Moonstone Beach Road and became combative with rescue personnel.

Officers responded to the single-car accident at the intersection with Mill Pond Road at about 1:30 a.m. to find Kurt’s Honda CRV had hit a telephone pole hard enough to deploy both front seat airbags. Kurt initially said his name was Kyle and said he didn’t know how he ended up on the roadway, according to reports. Kurt, who had a cut across his forehead, responded inconsistently and kept his eyes closed during questioning, according to reports. When asked if he had taken any drugs or alcohol, Kurt reportedly responded, “They won’t be cool with us.”

Kurt fought with paramedics as they attempted to remove him from the car and place him on a gurney for a trip to the hospital, according to reports. Once in the rescue, Kurt was reportedly more forthcoming with information, informing paramedics that he had about 10 drinks that night and had smoked marijuana, consistent with the alcohol odor officers reportedly smelled on him.

After he allegedly failed field sobriety tests, he was charged with DUI and his car was towed from the scene. But Kurt wasn’t done for the night. While en route to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, rescue workers reportedly had to pull over to deal with the combative patient. Officers handcuffed Kurt to the gurney for the rest of the trip to the hospital, where he reportedly continued to badger hospital staff. He was later released to the custody of family members.

Avoid Eye Contact

A neighborly dispute warranted police involvement when Eric Alden, of Highland Drive, South Kingstown, reported the disagreement at the South Kingstown station. Alden told police his former neighbor “flipped his wife off” and threatened to “bury him” after the two argued in the Starbucks parking lot.

Alden said he decided to involve police after the former neighbor drove slowly past his house, making Alden fear the neighbor was going to kill him or burn down his house.

Officers advised Alden not to make eye contact with his former neighbor, or to engage him in any way. Police advised the neighbor of the same and warned both men that if the dispute elevated to physical violence, both men would be charged with assault and.or disorderly conduct.

Running Scared

A South Kingstown man was detained but not arrested after reports of an attempted breaking and entering in a Curtis Corner Road home on May 18.

Officers found Josue Rodrigues-Canuto in the Asa Pond hiking trails, where he reportedly fled after being confronted by the would-be victim’s son. Canuto had reportedly jumped a stone wall and crossed the yard to an open window blocked only by a screen. But before he could open the screen, the homeowner’s son — reportedly a foot taller than Canuto — confronted him, scaring Canuto into the woods.

Officers later tracked Canuto’s footprints, showing he crossed the yard and was standing at the open window. They were, however, unable to locate fingerprints on the window sill, and did not charge him with a crime.