Central Falls Woman Arrested for Nearly Running Over Cop during Drug Bust

A 36-year-old Central Falls woman who struck and dragged a Cranston Police officer with her car behind Hong Kong Buffet on Cranston Street Saturday afternoon is facing a slew of charges including drug possession and felony assault.

The officer was not seriously hurt, but the situation could have been much worse since the officer was briefly trapped between the woman’s car door and door frame as she shifted into reverse in an attempt to get away, said Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist. The officer, a 9-year veteran of the department, nearly lost his footing and came close to being run over.

Alica Mattera, of 31 Belmont St., Central Falls, is now facing charges of felony assault, narcotics possession, resisting arrest, failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in property damage and driving with a suspended license.

It all started around 3:53 p.m. when the officer saw what looked like drug activity behind the restaurant.

After observing what looked like a drug deal, the officer walked up to the car and saw Mattera in her Dodge Avenger carrying a small bag that looked like cocaine.

The officer reached into the car in an attempt to place her under arrest. That was when she shifted into reverse, trapping the officer, and backed into the officer’s unmarked police cruiser, police said.

As she was backing up, the officer, trapped, fired several rounds at the suspect, shattering the side and rear windows of the vehicle.

Mattera was not struck, but she managed to get out of the parking lot and onto Cranston Street, striking another, occupied vehicle on the street as she left.

Police found Mattera’s car abandoned on Calvary Street a short time later and using a K-9 unit, were able to find Mattera hiding behind a house on Randall Street. Officers at the Hong Kong Buffet scene also reportedly found crack cocaine on the ground.

In Mattera’s purse was some marijuana Winquist said.

The officer was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

“The Officer is a 9 year veteran of the Cranston Police Department who is a well-respected, proactive police officer,” Winquist said.

Mattera was also treated and released from Rhode Island Hospital for minor injuries.

Mattera has a lengthy criminal record and is currently on probation for a 2013 conviction for possession of a controlled substance. She is now being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston pending a Jan. 5 arraignment in Third Division District Court in Warwick.

According to standard protocol for all officer involved shootings, the Cranston Police are jointly investigating the incident with the Rhode Island State Police and Rhode Island Department of Attorney General’s Office.

“I am relieved that this Officer was not seriously injured as a result of this inciden,” Winquist said. “Based on the preliminary facts provided to me by the investigative team, I support the actions of this Officer who acted appropriately and reverted to his training. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers officers face on a daily basis as they carry out their duties.”