Suspect in cop shooting, hit & run held

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - The man accused of shooting a North Kingstown police officer and running over and killing a gas station attendant Sunday afternoon has been ordered held without bail. David Catalano, 29, was arraigned Monday morning at District Court in Wakefield.

Catalano is accused of assaulting Officer Travis Maiato, a police veteran with more than seven years on the force. Police said Catalano attacked Maiato from behind, grabbed his service revolver, and shot the officer at point-blank range.

Maiato was responding to Catalano's home at 10 Wasp Rd. in North Kingstown to inform him East Greenwich police wanted to question him about a hit and run that occurred a few minutes earlier.

Maiato's injuries were not life-threatening.

Police say they responded to Willie's Texaco gas station on Post Road at 12:54 p.m., on Sunday after Catalano allegedly struck 66 year-old gas attendant, Clifford Levalley with his black Ford Explorer. Levalley was rushed to RI Hospital where he later died.

In the North Kingstown incident, Catalano is facing five felony counts, including assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, stealing a police cruiser and stealing the officer's gun. He is also being held on a probation violation connected to a disorderly conduct conviction in March.

Catalano is also facing several charges in East Greenwich in connection with the hit and run; including leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting and driving to endanger, death resulting and leaving the scene of an accident with damage to an intended vehicle.

Catalano is due to appear in Kent County Court Tueday to be arraigned on those charges. He also has a bail hearing set for June 3.