Man arrested in connection to hundreds of needles left in West Warwick park

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — The West Warwick Police Department announced Monday that an arrest was made in connection to vandalism done at the Majestic Gazebo.

According to police, 56-year-old William Otte, of West Warwick, is charged with leaving hundreds of hypodermic needles and syringes around the popular public hangout spot.

Officials said an officer who was patrolling the area at 4 a.m. on Sunday, found hundreds of hypodermic needles and syringes scattered around and inside the gazebo. The officer also observed writing on the walls, done with a bar of soap, that they said was illegible.

A local biohazard mitigation company responded and cleaned the needles from the scene and properly disposed of the waste.

Further investigation lead to the identification of Otte as the suspected vandal. He was arrested on Sunday at 2 p.m. after police obtained a warrant for his arrest.

He was arraigned by a bail commissioner at the West Warwick Police Department, where he was presented as a probation violator and was taken to the ACI in Cranston.

Otte will be arraigned on one count of vandalism and malicious injury to property on Tuesday in Kent County Superior Court.