Johnston man accused of stealing 3 town-owned plows

JOHNSTON, R.I. — Johnston police say a town resident has been arrested after three municipal snow plows were stolen overnight from the Parks and Recreation Department at Johnston War Memorial Park.

Officers responded to the park on Hartford Avenue around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after a Parks and Recreation employee discovered the plows missing from outside the department building.

Investigators reviewing surveillance footage observed a white Chevrolet Silverado entering the property three separate times during the early-morning hours. Around 1:04 a.m., two individuals in dark clothing were seen attaching a plow to the truck and leaving. The same vehicle returned at approximately 1:49 a.m. and again at 2:42 a.m., each time removing another plow.

Later that afternoon, police received information that the suspected vehicle was parked at a residence on Jasmine Lane with a plow still attached. Officers responded and located the truck in the driveway with one of the stolen plows affixed.

The vehicle’s registered owner, identified as Joseph Macari, 46, of Johnston, was taken into custody. A court-authorized search of the property led to the recovery of the two remaining plows inside a garage, police said.

Macari is charged with three felony counts of receiving stolen goods. He was arraigned Wednesday at Johnston police headquarters and is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-arraignment conference on May 18.

Police say the investigation remains active. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Johnston police.