Contact: Captain Michael J. Winquist, Detective Commander, Telephone: (401) 444-1008
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, announces that on September 19, 2012, members of the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police and North Providence Police arrested Sean Sparfven, age 30, of 31 Edgemere Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island for Assault with Intent to Commit Murder and a numerous other criminal charges as the result of Sparfven attempting to assault two detectives assigned to the State Police High Intensity Drug Area Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force with a motor vehicle.
On September 19, 2012, at approximately 2 p.m., members of the Rhode Island State Police HIDTA Task Force were in the area of Mount Pleasant Avenue in the City of Providence at which time Task Force Officer Tyler Denniston, a North Kingstown Police Detective observed a tow truck pass his location, which he recognized from a recent law enforcement bulletin as being utilized by Mr. Sparfven to transport stolen motor vehicles to various scrap yards in the Greater Providence area. Detective Denniston followed the truck, which had a vehicle in tow to K&R Auto Salvage, located at 921 Smithfield Road, North Providence, Rhode Island.
Once the tow truck entered the impound lot, Detective Denniston identified himself as a police officer by displaying his badge and instructed the operator to stop the vehicle. Officer Denniston approached the vehicle and requested Sparfven's driver's license, which he failed to provide. A passenger in the vehicle identified herself as Renee Sparvfen, age 29, of 13 Whelan Road, Providence, Rhode Island. Detective Denniston recognized Sparfven as the suspect named in the law enforcement bulletin and was aware he did not possess a valid driver's license. Detective Denniston called for the assistance of Task Force Officer, Detective Herbert Tilson of the Rhode Island State Police. Detective Denniston requested Sparfven exit the vehicle for the purpose of placing him under arrest for Operating a Motor Vehicle without a License. Sparfven exited the vehicle as requested, but when Detective Denniston attempted to handcuff Sparfven, he punched Detective Denniston in the face, ran back to his vehicle and fled.. As Detective Tilson arrived he learned of the assault as Sparfven drove to the rear of the impound lot. Sparfven then turned the truck around and accelerated towards Detectives Tilson's and Denniston's location. Detective Tilson quickly entered his vehicle in an attempt to move out of the way of the oncoming vehicle, which was quickly approaching. Detective Denniston was still outside his vehicle when the speeding tow truck being operated by Sparfven side swiped his vehicle before striking Detective Tilson's vehicle head-on. The force of the collision spun Detective Tilson's vehicle one-hundred and eighty degrees and launched the front wheels of the tow truck off the ground. Fearing for their lives and the lives of other employees who were working in the impound lot, Detectives Denniston and Tilson discharged a total of six rounds from their department issued service weapons, with at least five bullets entering the cab of the truck. It was later learned that one bullet had glanced Ms. Sparfven, causing a laceration to her shoulder and neck. Ms. Sparfven also had a small metal shard that struck her forearm. Due to the collision, the vehicle attached to the rear of the tow truck became dislodged and traveled across the impound lot striking a fence. Sparfven then exited the business traveling on Smithfield Road.
After a police broadcast, a North Providence Police Detective observed the vehicle on Mineral Spring Avenue and requested uniform cars from his department assist. Uniformed members of the North Providence Police located the vehicle and activated their lights and siren. Sparfven refused to stop and was operating in a reckless manner, swerving across the center line, and mounting the sidewalk, nearly colliding with other motorists. In the area of 271 Pleasant Avenue, Sparfven struck a North Providence Police cruiser forcing the officer off the roadway. The officer then struck a residence at the location receiving moderate injuries. The pursuit continued into the City of Providence, where Providence Police Officers joined in the attempt to stop the vehicle. Sparfven then struck another task force officer's vehicle, at which time he came to rest, before running from his vehicle inside his residence at 31 Edgemere Avenue. Sparfven was captured by Patrolman Chris Owens, an off-duty Providence Police Officer, who saw him running from the rear of 31 Edgemere Avenue. While the off-duty officer was restraining Sparfven, he bit the officer in the chest. Sparfven continued to resist arrest and was eventually placed in handcuffs.
All of the officers that were injured were treated at Rhode Island Hospital and released. A joint investigation is being conducted by the Rhode Island State Police, North Providence Police and Rhode Island Department of Attorney General's Office as is standard practice in all incidents where a police officer uses lethal force. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is also standard practice.
Sparfven was held overnight at State Police Headquarters and will be arraigned at the Sixth District Court in Providence at approximately 2:30 p.m. Mr. Sparfven will be arraigned on the following charges: Assault with Intent to Murder (two counts), Assault with a Deadly Weapon (three counts), Simple Assault, Resisting Arrest, Eluding, Reckless Driving (subsequent offense), Mayhem, Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury (two counts), Leaving the Scene of an Accident-Damage to an Attended Vehicle, Driving without a License and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (four counts). Mr. Sparfven will also be presented as a Superior Court Violator resulting from a prior felony conviction Breaking and Entering.
The four counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle are a result of an independent investigation by the Rhode Island State Police Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Unit. This investigation involved Sparfven stealing motor vehicles utilizing the tow truck and salvages those vehicles at various scrap yards in Rhode Island.
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