Providence Man Leads WPD on 70 mph Chase Down One-Way Street

When Alfredo Rosario Vasquez, 26, of 45 Legend St., Providence, decided to elude officer Daniel Lajoie down a one-way section of Park Avenue Aug. 13 at 70 mph, he had an an expired license and a gram of marijuana — worth a misdemeanor charge and a $150 fine, respectively. 

Woonsocket Police caught Vasquez on Front Street after he ditched his car and fled on foot, by which time he'd added another five misdemeanor charges to his troubles. 

Lajoie spotted Vasquez driving a blue Honda Civic on Hamlet Avenue at about 4 p.m. shortly after receiving an alert about a possibly intoxicated driver of a blue Civic traveling into the city from Bellingham, MA. Lajoie pulled a U-turn using his emergency lights, quickly shutting them off after the turn, but Vasquez spotted him and began accelerating away. Vasquez made a quick turn onto a one-way portion of Park Avenue, traveling against traffic at more than 70 mph in the 25 mph zone, according to Lajoie's report.

Lajoie activated his lights and siren, following Vasquez past several vehicles before he turned onto Bell Street without a turn signal, then into the parking lot of Century 21 at 329 Park Ave, parking his vehicle. Lajoie caught up to him in time to see Vasquez exit the driver's seat and begin walking away. The officer called to Vasquez, telling him to stop, but Vasquez jumped a nearby fence, fleeing on foot along Pine Street, and Lajoie radioed for assistance. 

Vasquez was eventually caught by assisting officers on Pine Street. He was arrested and charged with reckless driving, obstructing an officer, two counts of simple assault, resisting arrest, and driving with an expired license, all misdemeanors.  He was also charged with a violation, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana (1 gram), a $150 fine.

A search of Vasquez's Honda showed nothing of value, save his cell phone, and no contraband. The violence of his driving earlier that evening had strewn the contents of two Chinese food containers across the passenger's side of the interior.