NORTH SMITHFIELD – A Cumberland man who escaped arrest by using his brother’s name and social security number was later arrested last month and is now facing charges for obstruction and possession of a concealed knife.
Gregory Gingras, 43, was arrested on Friday, Jan. 31 when police visited a room he was renting at Hilltop Motor Inn on Eddie Dowling Highway.
According to the arrest report, police first encountered Gingras during a traffic stop on Thursday, Jan. 30 for non-functional license plate lights. The driver reportedly told Officer Kyle DelPrete that he had an expired permit and provided a name and SSN that matched the information. DelPrete issued traffic citations and had the vehicle impounded, and both parties left the scene.
DelPrete later received information from another agency, utilized social media and spoke with someone in the front office of the motel to determine that Gingras had not provided his real name.
The officer went to the motel room the following day, and while arresting Gingras, located a knife affixed to his belt at the small of his back that was more than three inches long.
Gingras also reportedly had a crack pipe and several lighters in his pocket. He later admitted to using his brother’s name and memorizing his SSN in order to not be positively identified due to having a warrant, according to the report.
Gingras was charged with obstructing an officer and weapons other than firearms along with a warrant for a charge out of Cranston of driving without consent of the owner.
