Three Massachusetts men have been charged with misdemeanors for playing golf in Rhode Island, defying an order that says anyone who enters the state must self-quarantine for two weeks.
Gregory Corbett, 51, and 22-year-olds Tyler Pietrzyk and Nye Cameron were charged with misdemeanors after authorities say the Massachusetts men parked their out-of-state cars at a McDonald’s and got into a vehicle with Rhode Island license plates to drive to Meadow Brook Golf Course, reported Attleboro Sun Chronicle on April 3.
They were charged and issued summonses while on their way back to their vehicles later that day after McDonalds employees called the police on them.
“Kudos to McDonald’s for picking up the phone and alerting us to this,” Richmond Police Chief Elwood Johnson said, reported ABC6. “It was clear in this instance they were aware of it, and they were trying to hide the fact they were from another state.”
Police said the men also ignored a sign on the golf course that said only residents of Rhode Island can play there for the time being.
“It’s not the most heinous offense, but the reality is that we’re living in a whole different world this month, and it’s important we all follow the rules to keep one another safe,” Johnson said, according to Fox.
Corbett, of Attleboro, and Pietrzyk and Cameron, both of Taunton, were charged with misdemeanors and issued summons to appear in court on May 14. They could face a fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail.
Their actions violated an executive order issued by Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo on March 30, requiring all out-of-state visitors entering the state to self-quarantine for 14 days unless they have to work.