Neighbors' Dispute Over Marijuana Odor Leads to One Arrest

MIDDLETOWN, RI — A ongoing dispute between neighbors on Rogers Lane turned physical on Sunday night. According to police, Leah C. Rangel, 48, of Middletown, was charged at 6:45 p.m. with simple assault and battery. The victim is a 22-year-old Middletown woman, police said.

According to the arrest report, Rangel had been complaining about the odor of marijuana, which seemed to be coming from the neighbor's apartment. She had made several complaints both to the apartment building management and the neighbor.

On Sunday evening, she allegedly went to the apartment and confronted the resident, who denied it was marijuana.

The victim said she became upset when Rangel did not believe her, so she hit Rangel in the face and threw a drink in Rangel's face.

Rangel retaliated and grabbed the woman's hair. According to the police report, she "ripped out a significant amount" of hair. Another person in the apartment building attempted to separate them "to avoid injury to the baby." The victim told police she is pregnant.

Ultimately, Rangel left and drove off in her car. She was taken into custody at her parents' home and released with a Feb. 24 court date.