Tiverton police are investigating a kidnapping scam involving a local student. On Friday, Nov. 4, officers responded to the Walgreens store on Main Road for a reported kidnapping. A Tiverton woman told officers that she received a phone call from an unknown man who told her that her child, a Tiverton student, had been kidnapped from the Walgreens parking lot by “drug dealers,” and demanded money in exchange for her child’s return.

After officers contacted the School Resource Officer, they confirmed that the child was safe at school. A similar scam tactic had been been used in a recent incident reported to the police department in Dighton.

Officers said anyone who receives a similar call should contact the Tiverton Police Department at 625-6717.

Two DUIs last Thursday

Tiverton police and fire departments had their hands full last Thursday, Nov. 3, when they responded to two major motor vehicle accidents which resulted in DUI arrests for two local women.

At 3:42 p.m., Tiverton Police and Fire, with the assistance of Portsmouth Fire, were dispatched to the Stone Bridge Commons area of Main Road for a multi-vehicle accident involving a school bus. Police determined that a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport left its lane while traveling north on Main Road, and drove up on the sidewalk past the right shoulder of the road, striking a 1998 Volvo S70 as it prepared to exit a parking lot. After the initial collision, the operator of the Chevrolet then re-entered the northbound travel lane of Main Road before crossing the center divider into oncoming traffic and striking the front driver's side of the school bus.

At the time of the collision, the school bus was occupied by eight students, in addition to the bus driver and monitor. None of the bus’ occupants sustained any injuries. The operator of the Volvo sustained minor head injuries, and the operator of the Chevrolet sustained minor facial injuries.

Police identified the operator of the Chevrolet as 40-year-old Tanya Amorin of Fall River. While on scene, officers said they observed signs of impairment and several prescription medication bottles, as well as an open bottle of alcohol in her car. After being questioned by officers on scene, Amorin said she was unaware she was in Tiverton at the time of the accident, and believed that she was in Somerset.

She was arrested under the suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs, and refused an evaluation and chemical test at police headquarters. She was issued additional citations for leaving the lane of travel, refusal to submit to a chemical test, and refusal to submit to a preliminary breath test.

Just after 7 p.m., crews responded to the area of Stafford Road near Arruda’s Farm for another  accident with injuries. Officers found a downed telephone pole and wires hanging across the road, as well as a Jeep and Honda that had sustained significant damage. Police said the driver of a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Christy Amaral, 48, of Tiverton, was traveling south on Stafford Road when she left her lane and into incoming traffic, striking a 2021 Honda CRV traveling north. After the collision, the Jeep veered off of the road and into the utility pole.

Amaral was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor/drugs after showing signs of intoxication and admitting that she had consumed alcohol at a local bar. She was also cited for leaving the lane of travel, refusing to submit to a preliminary breath test, refusing to submit to a chemical test, and operating a vehicle with a canceled registration. Amaral was transported by Tiverton Rescue to Newport Hospital, where she was medically cleared and returned to police headquarters.

Both of the accidents remain under investigation. Both Amorin and Amaral were arraigned by a bail commissioner and released from police custody on bail, and are scheduled to appear in Newport District Court on Thursday, Nov. 10.