On 03/25/2022 at approximately 6:25 PM, a Tiverton Police Officer observed a 1999 Harley Davidson soft tail motorcycle stopped at the right shoulder in the area of 15 Main Rd. The operator accelerated quickly from a stopped position in an erratic and unsafe manner, screeching the rear tire on the roadway. The motorcycle accelerated southbound on Main Rd. and reached speeds of 40 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. The officer conducted a law enforcement database inquiry and found that the motorcycle was not registered. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Canonicus St. at Main Rd. where the operator was identified as 23-year-old Eric W. Spencer of Fall River MA. During the stop, the officer discovered that Spencer was not licensed to operate a motorcycle.
The officer observed a blunt object/weapon protruding from Spencer’s right side vest pocket as well as a knife sheath protruding below his vest, believed to contain a concealed knife. A search of Spencer revealed an expandable baton and a fixed blade knife with a 5.5-inch blade. The officer detained Spencer in handcuffs and subsequently located metal knuckles inside Spencer’s vest pocket and a revolver ammunition strip containing 8 rounds of ammunition. A Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum revolver was then located concealed inside Spencer’s waistband, loaded with 5 rounds of ammunition. During a further search of Spencer’s person incident to his arrest, a plastic bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine was also located within Spencer’s vest pocket.
Spencer was placed under arrest and transported to Tiverton Police Headquarters. During the booking process, it was discovered that Spencer was wearing a ballistic vest (body armor) underneath his outer garments.
Spencer did not possess a permit to carry a concealed firearm and was subsequently charged with Carrying a Concealed Pistol Without a License, Possession of a Controlled Substance – 10 grams or less, and Possession of Weapons Other Than Firearms. Spencer was arraigned at Headquarters and was released after posting $5000 surety bail.