Police Arrest Florida Fugitive

this week reported the Apr. 28 arrest of a Smithfield man wanted by police in Florida as a fugutive from justice.

Officers found David L. Pryce, 54, with last known address of 22 Esmond St., Smithfield, at the at about 11 pm in response to an active warrant issued by West Palm Beach Police on a fugutive from justice charge, and a count of filing false papers claiming to be the owner of a pawnbroking business.

Ptlm. Derek Parascandolo reported that Pryce has an extensive criminal record in Rhode Island, and also had an active warrant issued by Third District Court, Warwick, for failure to appear at a court hearing.

When he and two other officers went to the motel room, Parascandolo reported, Pryce answered the door. A search of the motel room found "numerous glass pipes with steel wool placed in the ends of them," typical of crack cocaine use.

Officers did not find any narcotics in the room, Parascandolo wrote in his report. A woman identified as Pryce's girlfriend, Patricia Winchester, was also in the room.

Pryce surrendered to police without incident, Parascandolo reported.

At police headquarters, officers presented Pryce for arraignment on the Third District Court warrant, and contacted the West Palm Beach Police Department. A sheriff there told dispatch personnel that the Florida department would seek to extradite Pryce.

Pryce was ordered held without bail until an Apr. 30 hearing in Third District Court, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf on the felony fugitive from justice charge.

He is next scheduled to appear in court on May 14.