Welcome to Arrest Stories. A Democratic politician from Cranston was arrested on driving under the influence charges after police observed her vehicle swerving on Division Street in East Greenwich. Here's what may have happened.
Just after midnight on December eighteenth, East Greenwich Police observed a white Lincoln Aviator repeatedly swerving on Division Street. The vehicle was pulled over near the Showcase Cinema Plaza around twelve twenty-nine in the morning.
Officers found fifty-one-year-old Maria Bucci in the driver's seat with a heavily intoxicated passenger. Police reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. According to the arrest report, Bucci's eyes appeared bloodshot, watery and glassy, and she was slurring her words when responding to questions.
Body camera footage captured the twelve-minute incident during which Bucci verbally confronted the arresting officer. During the traffic stop, she made several statements including "You know who I am, right?" and "If I was a black human." When the officer responded that he didn't care about her identity, Bucci asked "Why are you embarrassing me?"
Court documents indicate Bucci mentioned her family was in law enforcement and requested to call the Attorney General. She also told the officer "I think this is abuse" during the encounter.
When asked for her license, Bucci stated "I think this one's expired, but I have the new one in my bag" and later said "I don't have it, what do you want?"
Bucci was formally charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor in violation of state statute thirty-one dash twenty-seven dash two. The charge is classified as a misdemeanor.
She was released on one thousand dollars personal recognizance bail. Bucci is scheduled to be arraigned on January fifth, twenty twenty-six.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.