Police: Man Drove 50 mph on Portsmouth Middle School Soccer Field at Dismissal Time

Portmouth police have arrested a man who drove more than 50 mph on the soccer field at Portsmouth Middle School on Thursday afternoon, causing damage to the field and a neighbor’s yard — at the same time children were being dismissed from school.

Police said Ryan Deblois, 34, of no permanent address, admitted driving the car on the field after officers found him at the house of the vehicle’s registered owner, a 34-year-old Portsmouth woman.

Police said that at about 2:48 p.m., police responded to the school after reports of a vehicle operating recklessly on schools grounds as students were being dismissed.

Witnesses said the car, driven by a lone male, went as fast or faster than 50 mph while on the field and paved areas near the students who were being supervised as they boarded buses, said Det. Lt. A.J. Bucci of Portsmouth Police.

“The reckless operation of the suspect vehicle resulted in the driver’s air bag deploying, damage to the soccer field and adjacent yard to the middle school of a private citizen,” Bucci said.

Witnesses took note of the car’s license plate, which led police to Deblois about an hour later at the vehicle owner’s house. They saw the car outside the house with “damage consistent with witness accounts and damage at the middle school,” Bucci said.

There, Deblois admitted to driving the car on the field. Officers then learned that he had an active Second Division District Court Bench Warrant for failing to appear for status review on an unrelated charge.

He was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston where he is being held without bail for the warrant.

For the incident at Portsmouth Middle School, police have charged Deblois with reckless driving, three counts of vandalism and disorderly conduct.

He is due to appear in Second Division District Court on May 4 to answer to the new charges.

Police: Man Drove 50 mph on Portsmouth Middle School Soccer Field at Dismissal Time

Cranston Cops Become Mentors at City Elementary School

Beloved Jiggers Diner Gets Some Love from Yankee Magazine

RI Man, 20, Caught in Fla. Child Predator Sting

16 Charges for Man Who Led Police on Chase Through Woonsocket

Fort Adams to Host Newport Chowder Festival This Year