Pair Sold Narcotics From North Smithfield Motel Room: Police

NORTH SMITHFIELD — A local pair wanted on previous charges were arrested Tuesday after North Smithfield police learned that narcotics were being sold out of a room at the Traveler's Motor Lodge on Eddie Dowling Highway, police say.

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Antonio Freitas and Laura Heinzmann were arrested outside a local Sunoco station on March 9 after Patrol Officer Justin Switzer spotted the two inside a vehicle in the parking lot, according to a media release from the North Smithfield Police Department.

Switzer determined that Freitas and Heinzmann were wanted on previous charges and that bench warrants had been issued for their capture. According to Rhode Island judicial records, Freitas was wanted for violating bail in connection with a December 2019 Westerly drug bust. A separate warrant was issued for Heinzmann after she failed to show for a March 2019 pre-arraignment conference following her arrest for welfare fraud — specifically, the fraudulent use of public assistance and food stamps.

Officer Switzer also learned that Freitas had an expired driver's license, the media release said. Switzer placed the two under arrest.

While being booked at the North Smithfield police station, Freitas allegedly informed officers that he had narcotics concealed on his person. Police say they retrieved eight grams of heroin and six grams of methamphetamine. Freitas also had $920 in cash on his person.

The two were transported to the Adult Correctional Institute in Cranston and were incarcerated pending various court hearings.