Man Charged for Beating and Leaving Stranger Unconscious in the Street: Police

Cranston Police arrested a 25-year-old Providence man for the brutal beating of a man who was found unconscious in the roadway at the intersection of Broad Street and Norwood Avenue Saturday morning.

Police said Victor Cruz, of 15 Detroit Ave., Providence, was charged with felony assault and disorderly conduct for allegedly assaulting the victim, identified by police as Arthur Porter, 56, of Broad Street, and then fleeing the area in a car being driven by an unidentified woman at around 11:19 a.m.

Porter was suffering from a heady injury and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he was listed in serious condition.

Using a description of the vehicle, police made their way to Cruz’s Detroit Avenue address where he was found with the woman. Both were taken into custody with help from Providence police.

Police said Cruz did not know the victim before the incident and the circumstances that led to the assault remained under investigation.

Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said the witnesses who saw the incident and were able to provide a detailed description to police deserve credit.

“Their cooperation is directly responsible to the quick apprehension of the person allegedly responsible for this violent and brazen assault committed in broad daylight in a busy neighborhood,” Winquist said.

Cruz was arraigned and is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions on $20,000 surety bail.