Man In BMW Tells Police 'I'm Out Of Here," Flees Traffic Stop, Busted For Pot

Woonsocket Police report a city man tossed a few bags of marijuana out of his car shortly after telling them, 'I'm outa here,' and fleeing a traffic stop at high speed at about 1:15 a.m. March 11.

The incident earned Muhammad Sheikh, 28, of 412 Rathbun St. Apt. 1L a felony charge for marijuana posession, among other charges, for the 22 grams of marijuana, less than an ounce (28.3 grams). The charge came about 22 days before state law is set to decriminalize possession of less than an ounce of the substance.

Sheikh was stopped by Officer Christopher Bouvier after he drove his white 2011 BMW past the officer on patrol in the area of Highland Street multiple times that night. Bouvier reported he made the stop at 150 Highland St. after noticing an air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror, obstructing the driver's view. 
Upon speaking with Sheikh, Bouvier noticed his eyes appeared glassy and he seemed intoxicated, according to the report. Bouvier asked Sheikh if he'd been drinking, to which he replied, "Come on, man, give me a break. You know me."

Officer Sean Rochette was also at the scene. As the second officer exited his cruiser, Bouvier said he asked Sheikh to get out of the car. Sheikh started his car up instead. Bouvier tried to open the BMW's driver's side door, but it was locked. He ordered Sheikh to turn off the car, but the driver said, "I'm out of here," and drove away at high speed, peeling out southbound on Highland Street.

According to Rochette's report, the BMW nearly struck Bouvier as it swerved away. Both officers pursued Sheikh, but lost him in the area of Blackstone Street.

Lt. Edward Cunanan contacted Rochette and Bouvier, notifying them he had found two plastic baggies containing 22 grams of marijuana on the ground near the stop. The bags were tested for fingerprints. 

At 7:16 a.m., Rochette, Bouvier and a third officer visited 402 Rathbun St. looking for Sheikh. His wife allowed officers inside, where they found him in his bedroom. Sheikh briefly struggled with officers, trying to shut his door on Bouvier, before he was "escorted into the wall" by Bouvier and another officer, according to Bouvier's report, after which he complied with the officers' orders.

While taking Sheikh to his cruiser, Bouvier told Sheikh they had found the marijuana he had thrown out of his car. "I'm sorry," Sheikh replied, according to Bouvier's report, "That's for my personal use."

Sheikh was charged with felony possession of marijuana, obstructing an officer in the course of his duty, a misdemeanor, and driving in possession of a controled substance, a violation.