'Talking Smack' Leads to Fistfight That Spills Onto Pawtucket Avenue

Two East Providence men face disorderly conduct charges after a fistfight late Saturday night, Feb. 23, that spilled onto Pawtucket Avenue and obstructed traffic.

Allen C. Johnson Jr., 39, of 154 Bourne Ave., and Elton A. Duarte, 24, of 28 Baker St., got into a fight that started in the Domino’s Pizza parking lot about 11 pm, according to the East Providence police. Neither man was a customer. 

The fistfight reportedly took place after a verbal exchange started when the two cars, carrying the men and several women, pulled up next to each other on Pawtucket Avenue. 

The verbal altercation – described as “talking smack” in one instance, according to the police report -- continued in the parking lot when both vehicles pulled off the street. Johnson then reportedly spit at Duarte’s daughter, traveling in the car with him.

Duarte allegedly got out of his car to “protect his daughter,” according to the police report. Pushing and shoving allegedly led to punches being thrown and the fistfight taking place in the right southbound lane of Pawtucket Avenue.

Employees of the pizza shop witnessed the altercation and contacted the police. They were alerted to the fight by plenty of shouting and loud voices, according to the arrest reports.

When police officers responded, according to the arrest reports, one of the men was pulling the other man's shirt up over his head.

Both men were arrested and taken to the police station, where they were given District Court dates to face the charges, according to the East Providence police.