Motorcyclist from Stoughton Charged with Reckless Driving after Brief Chase

By Mark Schieldrop

Police Charged Jesse Spinola, 31, of Stoughton, Mass., with reckless driving and issued a citation for marijuana possession after he allegedly drove his motorcycle 72 mph on East Main Road in Portsmouth, Rhode Island on May 18.

Police said an officer on a stationary radar post at around 5:30 p.m. clocked Spinola as he drove by heading north along with a group of other motorcyclists who were also traveling at a high rate of speed, according to a police report.

When the cruiser’s lights began flashing, most of the motorcyclists pulled over but a group of seven kept on.

The pursuing officer turned on the front moving radar and registered a maximum speed of 64 mph in the 35 mph zone as he followed.

Spinola, in particular, was seen cutting off vehicles and signaling to other members of the group.

When they got to the intersection of East Main Road and Fairview Lane, Spinola allegedly made an abrupt maneuver, cutting off an SUV that had to slam on its brakes to avoid a crash.

Moments later, backup officers joined the pursuit and all seven of the riders pulled over.

Police said Spinola had a small bag of marijuana in his possession that was discovered during an inventory of his belongings at police headquarters.

In addition to the reckless driving and marijuana possession charges, police summonsed Spinola for speeding.