Smith

Police: Man stole more than $500K worth of equipment from Taco

A city resident is accused of stealing more than a half-million dollars worth of equipment from Cranston-based Taco Comfort Solutions while employed by the company.

Dario D. Smith, 51, was arrested Feb. 16 following a court-authorized search of his residence at 160 Scituate Ave., according to Cranston Police. Online court records show he was released on $5,000 personal recognize following his arraignment later that day, and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 12.

Smith is charged with one court of felony embezzlement over $100, which police say is punishable by up to 20 years in prison a fine of up to $50,000.

According to police, the investigation leading to Smith’s arrest began when Taco contacted the Cranston department based on the results of an internal audit.

During search of Smith’s home, police found “plumbing and heating controls and other associated industrial HVAC equipment identified as the company's property.”

A statement from police continues: “The stolen items that were recovered are valued at more than $500,000. It is suspected Mr. Smith had stolen the items over several months while employed by the company.”

Police say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Detective Joseph Hopkins at (401) 477-5065 or jhopkins

Cocaine dealer sentenced to 8½ years

A Cranston man who was arrested with nearly 5 kilograms of cocaine last February has been sentenced to state prison after.

Felix Castro, 48, received a 15-year sentence with 8½ years to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions, according to a Feb. 18 statement from the office of Attorney General Peter Neronha. The remainder of the sentence was suspended with probation.

Castro entered the no contest plea to a single count of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute before Justice Kristin Rodgers in Superior Court last week, the statement reads.

According to prosecutors, Providence Police observed Castro “intercepting a United States Postal Service package from a home on Verndale Street in Providence” on Feb. 8, 2020.

Magno, a Pawtucket Police K-9, then arrived at the scene, “conducted a sniff test of the exterior of the package and indicated that it contained narcotics,” prosecutors say. A search warrant was then obtained for the package, with was found to contain 4,959 grams of cocaine.

“Castro later admitted that he was paid to pick up the package and that he knew it contained narcotics,” the statement from Neronha’s office reads.

“This Office’s drug enforcement strategy is simple: target those who distribute and profit from the distribution of dangerous drugs in our communities,” Neronha said in the statement. “For the second time this week, the court sentenced a defendant prosecuted by this Office for shipping significant amounts of cocaine – kilo weight amounts – into Rhode Island. I am grateful to the Providence Police Department for their strong work in this case.”

-- Daniel Kittredge