Tiverton Police: Woman Drives Off From Bar, Despite Police Warnings

charged a Fall River woman with drunk driving last Saturday after she reportedly drove away from the  despite police telling her she was unfit to drive. 

Laura M. Gonzales, 39, of 644 Penn St., Apt. 3, Fall River, was arrested at 1:06 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18. She was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusal to submit a chemical test and lane roadway violations.

Det. Michael Miguel said police were already at Lil Bear arresting a man for disorderly conduct when a woman, later identified as Gonzales, approached the officers saying she had no way of getting home.

"She appeared highly intoxicated," Miguel said. "Officers said she was unfit to operate a motor vehicle."

Miguel said police asked dispatch to call a cab for Gonzales. As officers completed their investigation from the bar's earlier disturbance, they reportedly saw Gonzales with keys in her hands trying to gain access to a vehicle. Miguel said they approached her, told her she was unfit to drive and to wait back at the bar for her cab.

Approximately 15 minutes later, officers reportedly saw Gonzales exit Lil Bear again and enter a red Jeep. Miguel said she drove the jeep from Lil Bear north on Main Road. He said officers noted the Jeep crossing the white fog line on four separate occasions. Police stopped her in front of Humphrey's Oil Supply.

When speaking to Gonzales, officers reportedly noted a strong smell of alcohol, red and glossy eyes and slurred speech. Miguel said officers asked her to take a field sobriety test, which she reportedly failed. She was then arrested.

Alleged disorderly man at bar

Lawrence Couture, 37, of 464 Division St., Apt. 2, Fall River, was arrested at 12:25 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Miguel said officers were dispatched to Lil Bear for a disturbance. Upon arrival, police identified a man, Couture, pushing a female patron. They reportedly saw him in a physical altercation with another man. When trying to place Couture into custody, he allegedly resisted, Miguel said. After a brief struggle, officers were able to take him into custody.

Miguel noted that several patrons said they were assaulted by Couture but refused to pursue criminal charges.

Girlfriend allegedly punches, burns boyfriend with cigarette

Sovannary Lee, 20, of 909 Main Road, Tiverton, was arrested at 9:54 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18. Lee was charged with domestic simple assault and battery.  

Miguel said officers responded to the residence for a report of a 911 hang-up call. On the call back, dispatch overheard arguing in the background. Officers arrived on scene and spoke to a man who said his stepdaughter, later identified as Lee, had gotten into an argument with her boyfriend. She reportedly admitted to punching him in the face and putting a cigarette out on him. She was then taken into custody.

Pot possession, Failure to Stop

Brandy Reynolds, 18, of 34 John Duggan Road, Tiverton, was arrested at 10:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17. She was charged with possession of marijuana (first offense), operating a motor vehicle in possession of controlled substances, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating a motor vehicle without registration, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and failure to obey a stop sign.

Miguel said an officer on radar post at the intersection of Mill and Hooper streets saw a vehicle go through a stop sign at a high rate of speed. During the stop, the driver, Reynolds, was unable to provide a license or registration. Miguel said the officer noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Miguel said Reynolds reportedly told the officer she had marijuana under her seat but "it was not enough to arrest her."

Officers found the marijuana and took her into custody.

Man hides during warrant arrest

Michael Connery, 29, of 28 Lucy Ave., Tiverton, was arrested at 9:17 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19. He was taken into custody on an outstanding bench warrant issued in Newport Superior Court, stemming from a domestic larceny charge. He was also charged with obstructing a police officer.

Miguel said an unidentified man called the station that morning to report that Connery was residing at the Lucy Avenue residence and there were several warrants for him. Officers responded and spoke to a woman who let them inside. Miguel said officers observed a man run to the back of the house. They followed and found a man, Connery, in a bedroom sitting on a bed with his face covered in a hood. Miguel said the man reportedly gave police the name of "Luke," but officers, through prior contacts, identified him as Connery, and placed him under arrest.

Issuing bad checks

Tabitha Frizado, 35, of 306 Jefferson St., Fall River, was arrested 11:17 a.m., Monday, Feb. 20. Frizado was charged with issuing fraudulent checks under $1,000. Miguel said Frizado reportedly turned herself into Second District Court in Newport for a charge dating back to 2004. She allegedly issued a bad check in the amount of $450 to an auto supply store at 545 Main Road.