Homeless Newport Man Charged After Assaulting Senior & Stealing Bicycle

NEWPORT, RI—A 22-year-old homeless man was arrested Wednesday at 7:40 behind the Walmart in the RK Newport Towne Center. Khaleel Serrell Mills, 22, of Newport, was spotted riding a bicycle on the path to Festival Field Apartments. An officer shouted "Stop." When he allegedly kept pedaling south, Ofc. Seth P. Moseley stopped his squad car, grabbed Mills and threw him off the bike.

Police had been called at 6:42 p.m. to the Dollar Store on Connell Highway for an assault. The victim complained Mills had asked him for money and choked him when he refused. He also feared Mills may have stolen his car keys. He described Mills and said he was wearing a black suit but could not say where he went.

Police canvassed the area and spotted Mills on the bike path. Mills told the officer the bicycle belonged to him and he was riding away because he had just witnessed an armed robbery in the Walmart parking lot.

He told the officer he saw a man pull a handgun. Mills said he was not involved but did carry a clip in his jacket pocket. The clip was for a 9 mm gun.

Police found the clip but no magazine. Another officer searched the area and did not find a weapon.

Mills told other stories about witnessing crimes, and police began to suspect he might be under the influence of drugs.

The victim told police he had driven Mills to North Kingstown where he attended a narcotics rehabilitation center. However, when they arrived, the center refused to admit him. The victim drove Mills back to Newport. On the way, Mills asked for $8, so he could buy groceries at the Stop & Shop. At the Stop & Shop parking lot, Mills allegedly put his hands around the victim's neck and choked him when he refused to give him money. He also said, "I'm going to kill you" and "I'm going to rip your skin off," the victim claimed.

A passerby saw the struggle and intervened. The victim took the opportunity to bolt from the car, run inside the Stop & Shop and call police.

Police also took a report from a youth who said his bicycle had been stolen and was the same one Mills was riding. That victim said he parked the bike outside the Walmart lawn and garden section and was in the store about an hour. The bike was gone when he came outside.

Mills was charged with felony assault (causing bodily injury) on a person over 60 and larceny under $1,500 for stealing the bicycle.