Crime & Safety

East Greenwich Man Facing DUI, Gun, Knife Charges

State prosecutors say Timothy Heffernan, 34, was caught drunken driving while armed with a loaded gun and a knife with an illegal blade.

EAST GREENWICH, RI — An East Greenwich man is facing charges after he drunkenly drove while carrying a gun and a knife with an illegal blade length, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Wednesday.

Timothy Heffernan, 34, was charged in Kent County Superior Court with carrying a weapon while under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and carrying a concealed blade of more than three inches in length.

Heffernan was arrested on June 29, 2023, in East Greenwich. Prosecutors said Heffernan was driving erratically on Main Street, so police pulled him over.

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When speaking with Heffernan, officers noticed he had bloodshot eyes, a flush red race, and a strong scent of alcohol on his breath, prosecutors said. Heffernan then told officers he had a concealed carry permit, and that he was carrying a loaded gun. Prosecutors said they found a gun in Heffernan's waistband, as well a knife.

Prosecutors said Heffernan failed several field sobriety tests before officers arrested him.

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Heffernan is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Jan. 4, 2024, in Kent County Superior Court.

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