NK Police Log: Deer Jacker Allegedly Drove Drunk

Alleged Deer Jacker Arrested on DUI Charges

 Howard Latham Bentley, 39, of 8 Maple Dale Street in Coventry was arrested Nov. 24 at 12:40 a.m. on charges of obstructing an officer and two felony charges – one for carrying a weapon while intoxicated and another for possession of a controlled substance.

A North Kingstown officer happened upon Bentley on Shermantown Road, where he had accidentally driven his car into a ditch on the side of the road while trying to make a u-turn. According to the officer, Bentley appeared to be under the influence and told the officer he had been drinking that night

According to reports, Bentley told the officer he was leaving Narragansett and heading to Coventry. When the officer asked him why he was on Shermantown Road heading toward Exeter, he could not provide a reason.

Due to the fact that the responding officer had a previous encounter with Bentley, during which police found a large knife on him after he fled from officers, the officer frisked him for weapons. According to reports, he found 10 unspent shotgun shells in his pocket. Bentley allegedly could not explain why he had the shells in his pocket.

Police found a camouflage-colored shotgun leaning against a tree 10 feet from Bentley’s car. Also in his car, police found a handheld spotlight, leading officers to believe that Bentley may have been deer jacking – i.e. shining spotlight on a deer, causing it to stop in its tracks, then shooting it.

When police returned to Bentley, they found he had slipped his handcuffs from his back to his front and had his hands in front of his face. According to reports, Bentley was attempting to eat marijuana. He allegedly ignored several commands to spit the pot out. According to police, Bentley spit a piece of the pot out in the squad car on the way to headquarters, allowing police to positively identify the substance as marijuana.

According to records, Bentley has five previous convictions of possession of marijuana. He was transported to the ACI as a probation violator.

Reckless Driver Caught by State Troopers 

Andrew W. Gaskell, 34, of 70 Carroll St., Apt. 1205 in Newport was arrested Nov. 24 at 12:26 p.m. on charges of driving with a suspended license and a felony charge of reckless driving.

A Rhode Island State Trooper put out a bulletin on Nov. 15 around 5 p.m. that he was chasing a car that was speeding over the Jamestown Bridge. After the trooper ended his pursuit, a North Kingstown officer caught up to the driver on Route 4. According to reports, the driver (Gaskell) blew through two red lights and swerved in and out of traffic (at times travelling through the breakdown lane). The officer ended his pursuit and a warrant for Gaskell’s arrest was issued. According to the trooper, Gaskell was wanted on a bench warrant from 2nd District Court and also had an extensive criminal history.

On Nov. 24, State Troopers took Gaskell into custody. He was transported to the ACI as a probation violator.

Habitual Shoplifter Busted at Kohl's 

Bruce E. Judge, 65, of 162 Main Street in East Greenwich was arrested Nov. 24 at 10:15 a.m. on charges of a habitual shoplifting offender and a felony charge of shoplifting from Kohl’s

Judge allegedly stole seven bottles of Jennifer Lopez perfume, hid them in his jacket and left the store. When a loss prevention officer from Kohl’s confronted him outside the store, he dropped the bag containing the perfume and fled on foot. The employee contacted police and followed Judge on foot. Police intercepted Judge on Pine River Drive.

According to the Kohl’s employee, Judge is suspected of shoplifting from several other Kohl’s stores. He was issued a no trespass order and was arraigned on $2,000 surety.

Six Cars Broken Into in North Quidnessett Area

Several cars in the Northbriar area of North Quidnessett were entered on the night of Nov. 23. According to reports, one woman found her neighbor’s pink wallet on her lawn, prompting them to check their cars. Four cars on Northbriar Drive were entered as well as two on Keats Drive between 8:30 and 9:15 p.m. The suspect(s) made off with $105 in cash, two GPS units, multiple Ralph Lauren T-shirts and an iPod.

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