Providence Police continue efforts targeting illegal vehicles being operated on city streets

Providence, RI: On Wednesday, February 21st Officers Joseph Nezier, Brendan McKenna,
Albert Deschamps and Jose Deschamps were assigned to the traffic enforcement detail
monitoring recreational vehicles. At approximately 1740 hours, Officers Albert and
Jose Deschamps observed approximately 10-15 recreational vehicles driving
erratically on Manton Avenue. Police observed the vehicles as they turned onto
Amherst Street without utilizing turn signals and continue operating at a high rate
of speed and in an unpredictable manner, driving on and off sidewalks and causing
other vehicles on the roadway to stop abruptly. The vehicles proceeded to drive to
Atwells Avenue in a reckless manner, violating various traffic laws and alarming
other drivers.

While operating on Federal Hill, a male subject later identified as Ruddy Rodriguez,
pulled alongside officers, laughing and stated, «You’ll never catch me or stop me!»
The officers then observed Rodriguez ignore a red traffic signal and mount the
sidewalk, causing several pedestrians to quickly move out of the way for their
safety.

Rodriguez continued driving in the same manner, eluding police, and eventually came
into collision with a large cement potted plant that was on the sidewalk in front of
Venda Ravioli Restaurant as well as a large traffic control box which was also on
the sidewalk. Ruddy Rodriguez, age 25 of Providence, was immediately taken into
police custody and charged with Reckless and Eluding and two counts of Malicious
Mischief/Property Damage and was held for the next session of 6th District Court.

On the same date at approximately 1721 hours, officers working the traffic
enforcement detail observed a small motorcycle at the Mobile Gas Station at 269
Valley Street. The driver of the motorcycle proceeded to drive from the gas station
to Barstow Street without registration plates. Police immediately conducted a
traffic stop of the vehicle and spoke to the operator, Justin Ziobrowski, who stated
that his vehicle was not registered. Ziobrowski, age 32 of Providence, was issued a
Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal Universal Summons for Operating an Unregistered
Recreational Vehicle with a court date of March 24th. Ziobrowski was also issued a
Providence Municipal Court Summons for Operation of an ATV on a Public Roadway with
a court date of April 3rd.