EP Police Looking for 2nd School Bus Battery Thief: Contact Police if You Have Info:

By Bob Rodericks

The East Providence Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for Shane L. Williams, age 29, of Hayden Avenue Tiverton RI. Williams is the second suspect involved in the larceny of bus batteries that occurred last week at the Ocean State Bus Lines site on Commercial Way in East Providence.

It is believed that Williams has fled the area and is operating Massachusetts registration 3TJ754 on a 2002 Toyota Avalon, color white. The arrest warrant is for Felony Larceny and Conspiracy.

The East Providence Police Department previously arrested Edmund Pittsley, age 38, of Providence Street, Rehoboth, MA for the larceny of bus batteries that were discovered on 10/25/17 at Ocean State Bus Lines on Commercial Way in East Providence.

Lt. Raymond Blinn of the East Providence Police said that "Detectives from the EPPD had recovered all 33 batteries that had been stolen from the bus company. The batteries have since been returned to the bus company.

The batteries and bus vandalism occurred at a bus facility on Commercial Way in the city. One official said earlier that "this is the latest craze in New England. Vandals steal school bus batteries and sell them cheaply.

The batteries cost about $170 new and can fetch $15 to $20 at scrap yards. "The batteries were recovered from Berger Recycling in Pawtucket after the owner saw the noon newscast. We thank Berger Recycling for their assistance in this matter," said Lt. Blinn.

The bus vandalism caused a two-hour delay in starting school yesterday in East Providence.

Anyone with information about suspect Shane Williams or related thefts, are urged to contact the East Providence Police, Detective Division, at 401-435-7600.