PORTSMOUTH — A 76-year-old local woman was charged with first-degree arson after officers responded to a report of an active fire at her apartment at Bay View Estates Apartments just after midnight on Wednesday, May 3.

Upon an investigation by the Portsmouth Police Department’s Detective Division and the R.I. State Fire Marshal’s Office, it was determined that arson had occurred, according to police. 

Cheryl Raistrick, of Apt. 301 at Bay View Estates Apartments, 2121 West Main Road, was taken into custody and transported to the police station, where she was held for her arraignment, police said.

The Portsmouth Times reached out for more details regarding the incident, but police said the matter is still under investigation.

Here are some other recent highlights from the Portsmouth Police report:

Wednesday, May 3

Dennis Andrew Souza, 54, of 93 Rogers Lane, Middletown, was charged at about 6:35 p.m. with driving under the influence (DUI), first offense, following a motor vehicle accident on West Main Road at Russo Road. According to police, Souza’s vehicle had struck a pole and was no longer operable. He was also cited for refusing to submit to a chemical test, police said.

Lindsey K. Almond, 36, of 142 Seabury St., Apt. 1W, Fall River, was charged with DUI, first offense, at about 7:40 p.m. after failing to stop for a patrol vehicle that was blocking northbound traffic on West Main Road at Russo Road following a motor vehicle accident there earlier (see above entry), police said. According to police, Almond pulled around an officer’s patrol vehicle and stopped at the scene of the accident. She was also cited for refusing a chemical test.

Thursday, May 4

Alan Noel Chaves, 59, of 54 Ray Allard Road, Swansea, was charged with DUI, first offense, after being pulled over on West Main Road at Turkey Hill around 10:50 p.m. According to police, Chaves was driving behind another vehicle at a dangerously close distance and also changed lanes without signaling. He was also cited for refusing to submit to a chemical test.

Friday, May 5

Kevin Arthur Silvia, 59, of 1220 West Main Road, was charged with disorderly conduct (fighting/tumultuous behavior) at his home at about 6:45 p.m. Officers determined that Silvia became confrontational with his Uber driver as he was having trouble exiting the vehicle, according to police. After the driver assisted him, Silvia pinned the driver up against the vehicle and yelled obscenities at him, police said.

Nicole Monique Pagnozzi, 48, of Pond Avenue, Newport, was arrested on three bench warrants issued from 6th District Court after her electric scooter was involved in a motor vehicle accident on West Main Road at the Middletown line at about 9:15 p.m., police said. After being treated at a local hospital, Pagnozzi was transported to the women’s unit of the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston pending her arraignment, police said.

Saturday, May 6

Anthony J. Patti, 32, of 71 Holton Way, Middleborough, Mass., was charged with DUI, first offense, after being pulled over on West Main Road at Bradford Road around 4:10 p.m. Police had received multiple 911 calls reporting an erratic driver traveling on Route 24 South, police said. Officers observed his SUV making multiple roadway violations and traveling southbound in the northbound lanes, police said.

Sunday, May 7

Joseph Evan Sullivan, 23, of 72 Rounds Ave., Riverside, was charged with DUI, first offense, following a motor vehicle stop on the Mt. Hope Bridge around 9 p.m. According to police, officers observed Sullivan crossing over the double yellow center lines by two tire widths and nearly striking a curb. Sullivan was also cited for refusing to submit to a chemical test, police said.