Man released after arrest for Indecent Exposure/Disorderly Conduct, Breaking and Entering

A local man has been released after being arrested after two disturbing incidents this week.

The Cranston Police Department arrested and charged Paul M. Sawyer, age 35, of Woonsocket, RI Thursday on one count of Breaking and Entering and two counts of Indecent Exposure/Disorderly Conduct because of two separate incidents a few hours apart that occurred early Wednesday morning.

The first incident occurred at 1:38 a.m. when a female security guard was sitting in her security vehicle monitoring a warehouse facility on Plainfield Pike in Cranston. The female security guard noticed a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan pull into the parking lot and remain running for about twenty minutes. Shortly thereafter, Sawyer exited the minivan nude and approached the female. The female victim drove away as Sawyer briefly chased after her and she called police, where Sawyer then fled. Several officers were unable to locate Sawyer as he fled the city.

The second incident occurred at 3:15 a.m. on Gray Coach Lane where Sawyer returned to the city and gained entrance to a home. He was interrupted upon entering by the homeowner and Sawyer again fled.

Cranston Police then received a tip regarding these two disturbing incidents and the suspect’s distinct information. Detectives immediately responded to Woonsocket in search of Sawyer, and he was unable to be located at that time. Thursday, Cranston Police Detectives arrested Sawyer where investigators obtained a full confession. Sawyer has two previous arrests in 2015 for indecent exposure in the Town of Smithfield.

According to ABC 6, Sawyer was ordered at Friday’s arraignment to undergo a mental health evaluation, as well as an evaluation for substance abuse. Sawyer was released on $5,000 surety and his next scheduled court appearance is in March.