NK Police Log: Power Outage Fights, Pot Possession & More

Exeter Man Allegedly Sucker Punched, Arrested in One Night

Joshua Jesse Hicks, 21, of 480 S. County Trl. in Exeter, was arrested Sept. 5 at 2:10 a.m. on charges of drunken driving.

While finishing up a call at the North Kingstown Animal Hospital, officers allegedly saw Hick speed past them down Rte. 2 and followed him. According to police, Hicks drove through a red light at Stony Lane and speed up as officers tried to catch up to him, even hitting a curb as he tried to turn onto Ten Rod Road.

When Hicks pulled over, officers noticed he had a cut below his left eye (which was bruised and swollen) and that his hand was wrapped in bandage with blood on it. According to reports, Hicks told officers he had been “sucker punched” at “Miller’s Crossing in West Warwick.” (The bar is located in Cranston.)

Hicks allegedly told police he had “three tall beers” at the bar that night. When officers asked Hicks if he would take a field sobriety test, he told them he would if they took into account his prosthetic leg.

After he failed the field sobriety test, Hicks allegedly told officers, “I really only live around the corner. I just want to go home.” In his preliminary breath test, Hicks allegedly blew a .160 percent for blood alcohol content.

At headquarters, Hicks’ blood alcohol tested at .171 percent and .180 percent in consecutive tests.

He is set to appear in Fourth District Court on Sept. 27.

Man Arrested for Hitting His Own Car

William J. Ritzau, 39, of 694 Ten Rod Rd., Apt. B in North Kingstown, was arrested Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. on charges of domestic disorderly conduct.

Ritzau allegedly began banging on a car that was attempting to leave his residence. According to reports, Ritzau claimed that, though the car was driven by a family member, it was registered to him and he didn’t want it to be driven off.

Domestic Assault Breaks Out During Power Outage

Richard M. Morrison, 24, of 135 Hoover St. in North Kingstown, was arrested Aug. 29 at 11:47 p.m. on charges of domestic assault and disorderly conduct.

Morrison had allegedly gotten into a verbal argument with his girlfriend in the residence’s basement. When family members upstairs heard the basement door shut, one person said, “If they are fighting outside, someone is going to call the cops.” According to reports, Morrison was still in the basement and, after hearing the remark, began to yell at the family from the basement.

According to witnesses, Morrison attacked a family member, striking her hand. Another family member was able to force Morrison out of the residence before he set off on foot, where he was later intercepted by an off-duty officer.

NK Teen Charged With Possession of Marijuana

Thomas J. Quaranta, 18, of 79 Gateway Rd. in North Kingstown, was arrested Aug. 30 at 12:33 a.m. on charges of possession of marijuana.

Police pulled Quaranta and the driver of the car over on Ewing Road after seeing them drive into the parking lot of the vacant Davisville Elementary School before making a quick u-turn out of the lot. After the driver opened the door of his car and officers allegedly smelled marijuana, police searched the vehicle and its two occupants. On Quaranta, they found two plastic baggies with marijuana inside.

He is set to appear in Fourth District Court on Sept. 20.

Other Arrests...

Victor Francis Leonard, 26, of 340 Annaquatucket Rd. in North Kingstown, was arrested Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. on charges of violating a no-contact order. He was transported to the ACI for booking.