Rhode Island probation violator accused of dumping hundreds of uncapped needles in public area

A Rhode Island man was arrested over the weekend after being accused of vandalism.

According to police, on Sunday, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a West Warwick Police Officer was conducting a routine security check of the Arctic Majestic Gazebo, located at 1251 Main Street. The Officer observed hundreds of uncapped hypodermic needles/syringes scattered about the concrete pad under the gazebo. Additionally, there was writing in what was later learned to be from bar-soap, which was illogical and fragmented.

The West Warwick Police Department contacted a local biohazard mitigation company which responded and cleaned the gazebo property and properly disposed all of the potential biohazard waste.

An investigation was immediately conducted which led to the identification of the suspect responsible for the vandalism. In a coordinated effort between the Patrol Division and the Detective Division, an arrest warrant was prepared and signed by an authorized officer of the court.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Officers and Detectives located and subsequently arrested the suspect at a West Warwick residence without incident.

The suspect, 56-year-old William E. Otte, a West Warwick resident, was charged with one count of vandalism/malicious injury to property.

Otte was arraigned by a bail commissioner at West Warwick Police headquarters, where he was also presented as a probation violator and transferred to the Adult Correctional Institution. Otte will be re-arraigned on Tuesday at Kent County District Court.