At around 1:40 AM on Friday, a Worcester Police officer on patrol near Walpole Street saw a BMW stopped in the middle of the intersection of Walpole and Southbridge St. The officer saw another vehicle behind the BMW, which was not moving. The officer activated his air horn in an attempt to alert the driver, then activated his overhead lights and initiated a traffic stop.
According to the Worcester Police Department, The officer approached the driver, identified as Robert Villatico, 36, of Worcester, who appeared to be sleeping with his head against the steering wheel with the vehicle still in drive and his foot on the brake. The officer also saw what appeared to be partially smoked cocaine.
When the officer leaned into the vehicle to attempt to put the car into park, and Villatico woke up and took his foot off the brake. The car rolled forward, but Villatico stopped the car as ordered by the officer. The officer asked Villatico to step out and located what appeared to be cocaine in the vehicle.
When the officer attempted to arrest Villatico, he allegedly pulled away from the officers and attempted to run. A struggle occurred with multiple officers during which Villatico allegedly grabbed an officer’s taser and attempted to use it against three officers. He was eventually placed under arrest.
Officers located multiple bags of what appeared to be cocaine in the vehicle, plus packaging materials.
Villatico faces charges of:
- Operating a Motor Vehicle under the Influence of Drugs;
- Trafficking in a Class B Substance 18-36 Grams;
- Attempting to Disarm a Police Officer;
- Resisting Arrest;
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; and
- Assault and Battery on a Police Officer.
Editor’s note: The information provided in this report is based on recent events as described by police. The claims within are allegations by police which may be challenged by the accused in court.
