VIDEO: Body Camera Shows State Rep. Being Arrested by Cranston Police UPDATED

VIDEO: Body Camera Shows State Rep. Being Arrested by Cranston Police UPDATED

Rhode Island State Representative Enrique Sanchez was charged by Cranston Police with refusal to submit to a chemical test, a charge of Obedience to traffic control devices, and one count of driving under the influence after a traffic stop on Monday morning.

He represents District 9 (Providence). In 2023, Sanchez was embroiled in a controversy when he left his job in the Providence Public Schools.

Sanchez did not respond to GoLocal's request for comment.

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According to the police report filed by Officer Chavelle Lopez:

 “On February 3, 2025 at 0259 hours, Officer Smith and I, were on patrol in the area of Reservoir Avenue, when I observed a gray Nissan sedan RI PC WL668, stopped at a red light on Reservoir Avenue and Legion Way, in the left southbound lane. The Nissan remained stationary after the light turned green and then the operator utilized their horn a few times. I then activated my emergency lights and pulled up beside the vehicle on the left hand side to check on the operator, who seemed confused. Officer Smith instructed the operator to pull over to the side of the road. I pulled my patrol vehicle behind the Nissan, with my emergency lights still activated and utilized my patrol radio to notify dispatch of my traffic stop. The operator, later identified as Enrique Sanchez /1996, had pulled his vehicle over on Reservoir Avenue, just after Legion Way, facing southbound."

 

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The report went on to state:

I then approached the vehicle, and made contact with Sanchez. Once Sanchez rolled his window down, I asked what happened, referring to Sanchez remaining stationary after the traffic light turned green. Sanchez seemed confused and instead tried to hand me a red debit card. I asked for his license and he shuffled through some cards before eventually handing me a license. I asked where Sanchez was coming from and he stated from a friend's house in Central Falls and was on his way home, in Providence. I then stated that he was going the wrong way if he was going to Providence and asked if he knew where he was, and he mumbled something that I could not hear. I asked him to repeat and he stated that he was on a side street, but could not name it and stated that he missed the highway. While Sanchez was talking, I could smell a heavy odor of alcoholic beverage eminating from his breath. I also noted that Sanchez had bloodshot watery eyes. I then asked Sanchez if he had anything to drink and he stated no. I then asked if he took any drugs or medications; to which he stated no, but that he took Adderall for his ADHD.

            

Once out of the vehicle, I instructed Sanchez to stand in the parking lot next to his vehicle, away from oncoming traffic. I asked Sanchez again, if he had anything to drink, and he stated no. He then put his hands in his pockets and I instructed him to take his hands out of his pockets while I was speaking to him. I began speaking to him nagain and Sanchez put his hands in his pockets again. Sanchez demonstrated that he could follow simple instructions, portraying his level of impairment even more. I then instructed him to come back to his car to put his hands on his vehicle and I patted him down which did not reveal any weapons. I then brought him back over to the parking lot, where the ground had less snow/slush and had a more even surface. Given my observations, I then asked Sanchez if he wanted to consent to field sobriety tests and he was indecisive. I stated to Sanchez that my question was a yes or no, if he wanted to do some field sobriety tests or not, it was his choice. He asked if he chose to not do the field sobriety tests, if he could then order an Uber ride. I let him know that he could not order an Uber, but the field sobriety tests were his choice. He stated he did not want to do them and I confirmed again, with Sanchez that he did not want to do the tests, again, he stated no. I then told Sanchez to put his hands behind his back and placed handcuffs on him, making sure they were double locked and properly fit. I escorted Sanchez to the rear of my patrol vehicle and completed a search incident to arrest.    

This story was updated on February 4, 2025, at 6:53 AM.