BY VINAYA SAKSENA

CENTRAL FALLS — A 53-year-old man was arrested Saturday night after allegedly driving while intoxicated and attempting to run over a police officer who stopped his vehicle.

According to police, Stephen Rezendes of 22 Valley Street, Apartment 2, Central Falls, was arrested on Saturday, Ja.n 10, at approximately 6:33 p.m.
He was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon or substance; driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, first offense, BAC unknown; driving after denial, suspension or revocation of a license and obstruction of an officer in the execution of duty, as well as having an outstanding bench warrant from the Sixth District Court.
Officer Patrick Rogan wrote in an arrest report that he was on traffic duty at the intersection of Broad Street and Cross Street when he noticed a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on a one-way street without its headlights activated. Rogan reported activating his overhead lights and siren to stop the vehicle after seeing it turn onto Broad Street, allegedly “swerving far over the yellow lines” to do so.
Rogan said that the vehicle’s driver, later identified as Rezendes, briefly stopped in the middle of the road and then accelerated rapidly for roughly 100 feet, eventually turning into the Store 24 parking lot. Rezendes allegedly attempted to exit the vehicle, until Rogan told him to remain in the vehicle and turn the engine off.
“As I approached the vehicle I noticed that even while sitting, Mr. Rezendes seemed to lack the ability to control his head as it was bobbing in all directions, seemingly uncontrollably,” Rogan said in his report. “He had a very strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from his breath, his eyes were extremely bloodshot and watery, and his speech was so slurred that at times it was incomprehensible.”
Asked if he had consumed alcohol prior to driving, Rezendes allegedly shouted, “what the (expletive)? I had some beers.” When asked for a second time to turn his vehicle off, he allegedly scowled at Rogan and did not respond to the request.
Rogan then reportedly opened the door to the vehicle, ordering Rezendes to get out, but Rezendes instead allegedly reached for the vehicle’s shifter. Rogan reported wrestling with Rezendes to prevent him from gaining control of the vehicle, but Rezendes was able to get the vehicle into gear and began accelerating, dragging Rogan across the parking lot on his legs.
Rezendes then allegedly attempted to exit the parking lot, but found his escape blocked by a second police car that had arrived, manned by Officers David Joseph and Matthew Rado. While Rogan was attempting to get back to his cruiser, Rezendes allegedly put his vehicle in reverse, accelerating toward him in an alleged attempt to run him over. Rogan attempted to move out of the way, but reported that the vehicle’s rear bumper hit his backside, causing him to lose his balance.
According to Rogan’s report, Rezendes then attempted to escape the parking lot again, accelerating forward, but instead hit a curb and a concrete pole, thus disabling his vehicle. All three officers then drew their firearms and ordered Rezendes to get out of his vehicle, but he allegedly refused to do so.
Rogan reported putting his gun away and physically removing Rezendes from the vehicle. Once he was on the ground, Rezendes allegedly struggled with Rogan briefly, but was able to be handcuffed and placed in a cruiser. Due to his violent conduct, no field sobriety tests were conducted, Rogan said.
According to Rogan, the vehicle Rezendes had been driving was found not to have an active registration. Its plates reportedly matched another vehicle, whose owner Rezendes allegedly said he did not know. Rogan added that when read his rights, Rezendes said that he didn’t “even have a (expletive) license,” adding that “everybody gets drunk” and “it’s no big (expletive) deal.”
Rezendes then allegedly demanded to be taken to a hospital for what Rogan said was a “small abrasion to his forehead” suffered during the incident. Central Falls Rescue reportedly determined that he did not require hospital care for the injury, but transported him to a hospital to be examined “for his safety,” as he was reportedly “too intoxicated to refuse medical attention.”
According to Rogan, Rezendes’ ailments were diagnosed as “a light neck strain, a small abrasion that required no attention, and intoxication.” After being discharged and allegedly “attempting to break the automatic doors to the emergency room,” Rezendes was placed in a cell pending arraignment the following morning, police said.