Middletown Mayhem Leads To Mass Arrests On Second Beach: Police

MIDDLETOWN, RI — More than a 1,000 teens flooded Second Beach as a chaotic scene unfolded leading to nine arrests, police said.

About 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Middletown police learned of a "gathering of approximately 1,200 high school-aged individuals" on the beach near the main pavilion, the department said in a media release.

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"Officers responded to the area, established a visible presence, and began monitoring the crowd’s behavior," the release said.

Then, shortly before 2:30 p.m., "two officers observed a male subject acting disorderly toward others in the group and quickly took him into custody," according to the release. "A second male subject then assaulted the officers, causing the crowd to become increasingly disorderly and aggressive while encircling the officers as they attempted to escort the two individuals off the beach."

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When the crowd ignored orders to disperse, police pepper-sprayed them "to create distance and restore control of the situation," the release said.

A force of 16 Middletown police officers and 20 Newport police officers responded to clear the beach, according to the release.

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"During the dispersal, several individuals were arrested in the parking lot for disorderly conduct and obstructing officers after refusing to leave the area," the release said. "In a separate incident during the dispersal, a suspect attempting to flee the parking lot in a vehicle struck a Newport Police Officer, causing injuries. The suspect later admitted to operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol."

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The injured officer was taken to Newport Hospital by the Middletown Fire Department, according to the release, and "two suspects were treated at Newport Hospital for their exposure to pepper spray."

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The following were arrested:

• Ronan Pinkham, 18, of Medway, Massachusetts, on charges of felony assault and driving under the influence
• Gabriela Ruiz, 18 of Fall River, Massachusetts, on charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty
• Sofia Flynn, 18, of Fall River, Massachusetts, on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty
• Christian Cautilli, 18, of Medway, Massachusetts, on charges of disorderly Conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty
• Januel Medina, 19, of Fall River, Massachusetts, on a chargesof disorderly conduct
• A 17-year-old male from Fall, River, Massachusetts, on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty
• A 17-year-old female from Fall River, Massachusetts, on charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty
• A 17-year-old female from Fall River, Massachusetts, on charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty
• A 17-year-old male from Fall River, Massachusetts, on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty