WPD: Driver Stopped With Cocaine, No License

WARWICK, RI — Officer Ryan Riecke was driving past WPD HQ on Veterans Memorial Drive March 19 at 1:10 a.m. when he spotted, stopped and arrested a gray 2015 Toyota Forerunner driver carrying cocaine.

Riecke watched as the driver tapped his brakes for no apparent reason, then began to speed up in an apparent attempt to avoid him. The Forerunner was doing 55 in a 40-mph zone, then rapidly slowed as it turned on to Greenwich Avenue, according to the report. Riecke surmised the driver was trying to avoid being pulled over. Riecke decided to pull it over prior to the Rte. 95 North on-ramp.

Riecke identified the driver as Kevin Pamorada, 29, of 35 Carman St., Cranston, RI. Pamorada told him he had a suspended license. Riecke noted he had bloodshot eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol. When Riecke asked, Pamaroda said he’d had two drinks at work. A series of sobriety tests did not turn up any signs of impairment, according to the report.

All Mobile Towing was called to take Pamaroda’s Forerunner from the scene, since he wasn’t licensed to drive it. An inventory of the vehicle prior to towing turned up a small plastic bag of white powder, later identified as cocaine.  Pamaroda admitted it was cocaine, but said it wasn’t his, according to the report.

While the suspended license wasn’t grounds for an arrest, cocaine possession was. Riecke arrested him and transported him to Warwick Police Headquarters, 99 Veterans Memorial Drive, where he was processed and charged for driving with a suspended license, third offense, and for possession of cocaine. He was also cited for speeding 10 miles over the limit.

He was scheduled for a court hearing on the charges and released.