BANGOR – A man wanted in Rhode Island and locally caught the attention of Bangor authorities Thursday night after he was observed driving on Hammond Street with studded tires on the car.

Bangor police Officer Jason McAmbley confronted the driver and a female passenger outside Papa Gambino’s restaurant where they had stopped.

The driver said he didn’t have a license and proceeded to give McAmbley three different names, none of which came up on computer records, according to the police reports. The date of birth the man gave on two occasions did match a name in the computer files, that of Barry William Prew, 40, of Bangor.

Prew was wanted on two warrants issued out of Penobscot County for negotiating a worthless instrument, as well as in Rhode Island on a warrant for felony larceny. Rhode Island officials indicated they would extradite Prew, according to the police report. Prew also was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license and failure to give correct name, and he was cited for operating a motor vehicle with studded tires out of season.

The woman with Prew, Lurae Merriam, 39, of Bangor, was wanted on a warrant for negotiating a worthless instrument. McAmbley charged her additionally with permitting unlawful use, as he said she allowed Prew to drive the car even though she knew he didn’t have a license.

– Compiled by BDN reporter Doug Kesseli