MA Man Facing Drugs, Weapons Charges From Tiverton Traffic Stop

TIVERTON, RI — A Fall River, Massachusetts man is facing illegal weapon and drugs charges following a traffic stop in Tiverton, police said.

The traffic stop happened around 6:30 p.m. Friday, police said in a statement released Monday. A man later identified as 23-year-old Eric Spencer was riding a 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle, pulled over on the right shoulder on Main Road. A Tiverton police officer saw Spencer speed away, screeching his back tire and reaching 40 mph in a 25 mph zone.

The officer pulled Spencer over on Canonicus Street at Main Road. Spencer was not licensed to operate a motorcycle and the bike was not registered, police said. During the stop, the officer say a "blunt object" sticking out of Spencer's vest, believed to be a concealed knife.

When he searched Spencer, the officer found an expandable baton and a 5.5 inch, fixed blade knife. Inside his vest pocket, there was also a set of metal knuckles and a revolver ammunition strip, police said, along with a loaded revolver in his waistband. Police also found a small baggie of white powder believed to be cocaine.

Spencer was arrested and taken to Tiverton police headquarters, where he was found to be wearing a ballistic vest under his clothing, police said. He was charged with carrying a concealed pistol without a license, possession of a controlled substance under 10 grams and possession of weapons other than firearms. He was arraigned at the police station and released on $5,000 bail.