LEICESTER — On Saturday, April 11, 2026, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Detective Robert Noone of the Leicester Police Department was in plain clothes and operating an unmarked cruiser when he heard a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert issued to all units on duty for a dangerous and erratic operator traveling west on Main Street/Route 9 in Leicester.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Detective Robert Noone and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.
Detective Noone said the vehicle, described as a gray Honda with Massachusetts plates, was being actively observed by an identified reporting party, Michelle, of Leicester.
“The caller also reported the subject vehicle nearly hitting opposing vehicles head-on,” Detective Noone said. “While multiple units were attempting to catch up to the area of the offending vehicle, and while receiving continuous play-by-play location updates from dispatch relayed by the aforementioned RP [reporting party] witness, I observed the vehicle passing into Spencer (in the area of the Spencer Driving Range/Spencer Country Inn driveway located at 500 Main Street in Spencer) from my vantage point as I was passing the westernmost portion of Main Street on the McNeil Highway in Leicester by the Leicester/Spencer line.”
Detective Noone said that he got behind the vehicle, absent any emergency lights, and began to make observations.
“I observed the vehicle making multiple dangerous and abrupt marked lanes violations to include traveling over the double yellow lines multiple times, toward oncoming vehicles on the heavily congested roadway, and multiple times and over the white fog line,” Detective Noone said. “The vehicle could not maintain a straight line within its lane while operating the entire time I was behind it.”
Detective Noone said he called the Spencer Police Department over his cruiser’s two-way radio, relayed his observations of the vehicle’s dangerous operation as it traveled from his town into Spencer, and requested authority to stop the vehicle to prevent a crash and further endangerment to motorists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
“As I was awaiting the official transfer, the vehicle made a dangerous and abrupt right turn onto Paxton Street without signaling,” Detective Noone said. Later adding, “I continued to follow from a distance.”
As the Honda passed 4 Paxton Street, Detective Noone said it crossed over the white fog line and nearly struck a woman who was tending to flowers and shrubs along the roadside with her back to traffic, missing her by about one foot.
“As this near miss was happening, I received affirmative transfer of authority by Spencer Sergeant Christopher Inzerillo via Spencer ‘s radio channel,” Detective Noone said.
Detective Noone then turned on his blue emergency lights and pulled the Honda over in front of 12 Paxton Street.
“I approached the vehicle, which was occupied by only one individual, and identified myself and collected the operator’s license and awaited additional Leicester and Spencer units,” Detective Noone said. “While awaiting those officers, I observed the operator, positively identified as Robert Marcioni of Auburn, puffing on what appeared to be a vape device on a continuous basis with both the driver and passenger-side windows down.”
According to police, Robert P. Marcioni, 41, is a resident of Auburn, MA.
“Based on my training and experience, this windows down and cigarette smoking or vaping practice is commonly deployed by an occupant wishing to disguise an undesired odor,” Detective Noone explained.
At around this time, Leicester Officer Ives Fisher arrived on scene, along with Spencer Sergeants Christopher Inzerillo and Brandon Fullam and Spencer Officer Nicholas Tessier.
“Sergeant Fullam spoke to Robert and, during the conversation, he detected an odor of alcoholic beverage mixed with vape odors,” Detective Noone said. “Robert stated to Sergeant Fullam that he was a diabetic. Sergeant Fullam contacted Spencer EMS for an evaluation.”
When Spencer EMS arrived on scene, Detective Noone said that, as Marcioni walked from his vehicle to the ambulance unassisted, he observed “a notable unsteadiness and slowness to his stride.”
Leicester Police Officer James Murphy arrived on scene at around this time.
“After being cleared by EMS, I spoke with Spencer EMS Paramedic Greg [last name redacted],” Detective Noone said. “During this conversation outside the ambulance, I learned that Robert had in fact disclosed to [Greg] that he was not actually a diabetic as was stated to officers. Robert declined further medical care from Spencer EMS.”
Detective Noone said that throughout his interactions with Marcioni, both before and after Marcioni was evaluated by EMS, he noted Marcioni’s agitation, glassy and bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and previously observed unsteadiness on his feet.
“At this point Robert had not had use of his vape for several minutes, I began to detect an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person as he spoke with me,” Detective Noone said.
Based on his previously stated suspicions of impairment, Detective Noone asked Marcioni if he would submit to standardized field sobriety tests.
“He said no,” Detective Noone said. “I then placed him under arrest.”
Marcioni was then handcuffed, searched incident to arrest, and transported to the Leicester Police Department for booking.
“Transport from the scene was conducted by Officer Fisher, who later advised that he detected an odor of alcoholic beverage within the vehicle that was not present prior to Robert occupying the rear of the cruiser,” Detective Noone said.
Robert Marcioni, 41, of Auburn, was charged with the following violations/offenses:
- Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- OUI – Liquor
- Unlicensed Operation of Motor Vehicle
- Marked Lanes Violation
- Fail to Use Turn Signal
During the motor vehicle inventory conducted before the vehicle was towed from the scene, police located an empty can of Busch Light beer, an empty box of wine and an unopened nip of Fireball cinnamon whisky inside the small passenger cabin, which was within reach of the operator.
After Marcioni was booked, Detective Noone said he refused to take a breathalyzer test.
“As such, Robert was entered into the BT [breath test] machine as a refusal by Officer Nicholas Wilson and his license was subsequently suspended,” Detective Noone said.
Marcioni’s bail was set at $1,500 cash.
“Robert was advised and given unlimited opportunities to make phone calls to obtain bail. One of those calls was placed via a FaceTime video call to his wife,” Detective Noone said. “[Marcioni’s wife] asked Robert if she could contact his mother to obtain his bail fee. Robert stated no to [his wife’s] offers to obtain bail from family and then stated he wanted to be brought to the Worcester County Jail & House of Correction.”
Marcioni was then transported to the Worcester County Jail & House of Correction by Officer Ives Fisher without incident.
Marcioni was arraigned in East Brookfield District Court on April 13, 2026. Following his arraignment, he was released on personal recognizance under the condition that he abstain from alcohol and submit to random screens.
Marcioni’s next court date is a pretrial hearing scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in April, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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