Man arrested for DUI, possession of heroin

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – A man was arrested Tuesday morning in Portsmouth for driving under the influence and possession on heroin.

At approximately 11 a.m., Portsmouth Police received a report of an erratic vehicle travelling on Turnpike Avenue.

Authorities say they located the vehicle as it pulled into the parking lot of CVS and came to a stop.

The operator, identified as 26-year-old Eric Rocha, of 686 Hicks Street, Fall River, MA., was found slumped over the center console of the vehicle with a hypodermic needle sticking out of his forearm.

According to police, the vehicle was still in drive and Rocha had his foot on the brake pedal when an officer reached through the window and placed the vehicle into park.

Rocha awoke and pulled the needle from his arm, and was unable to complete the field sobriety testing due to his condition and was placed under arrest for DUI.

Police say inside Rocha’s front pocket, officers located 128 packets of heroin.

Rocha was held overnight and will be arraigned today on the charges of Possession of Heroin and DUI.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016