Crime & Safety

Little Compton Man Assaulted Cop at Teen Drinking Party, Police Say

Police made three arrests after a loud party complaint in Portsmouth. One of those arrested was a man from Little Compton.

An underage drinking party on Redwood Road in Portsmouth on April 24 led to three arrests, including a driving under the influence charge for the 19-year-old party host after she drove to the police station distraught over her boyfriend's arrest for hitting a police officer as he tried to block officers from entering the house.

A Little Compton man was also charged with assaulting a police officer.

It all started at around 2:09 a.m. when officers responded to the house at 17 Redwood Road for a loud party complaint.

Police said they found seven adults and three juveniles at the house and most were under 21.

Outside was Ryan M. McVicker, 18, of 61 Cornelius Drive, Portsmouth, who reportedly was standing on the front lawn holding a beer and when a responding officer identified himself as a Portsmouth police officer, he took off running.

Police followed McVicker, who threw his beer bottle aside while running, leading police to a backyard on Stage Coach Road.

He then began to climb over a fence, but police stopped him and were able to get him into handcuffs after a brief struggle.

Police also charged James MacGregor Lewis, 23, of 140L Long Highway, Little Compton, with disorderly conduct and simple assault after he got into a tussle with a police officer at the party.

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Police said Lewis reportedly walked up to officers at the scene and told them “you have no right to be here” and then tried to block police from coming in the front door while yelling “you’re not coming in without a warrant.”

He then flailed his arms, striking an officer multiple times, according to a police report.

Find out what's happening in Tiverton-Little Comptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lewis was physically restrained and cuffed and brought to police headquarters.

At the scene was 19-year-old Sara Louise Norman, who told police she had permission from an out-of-town relative to host the party and officers, according to a police report, noted that she appeared intoxicated.

A while later at about 3:50 a.m., while at police headquarters, officers watched Norman pull into the parking lot and get out of her car while unsteady on her feet.

Norman was reportedly upset about her boyfriend's arrest and in the lobby, police smelled alcohol and observed other signs that led them to believe she was drunk.

Police conducted a field sobriety test in the parking lot and she reportedly failed.

Police said the adults at the party did not appear under the influence of alcohol and were allowed to leave. 

The juveniles were escorted to Portsmouth Police headquarters where they were released to the custody of their parents.


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