More Than 40 Arrested, Cited Over Fourth of July Weekend

Newport Woman Arrested for Felony Assault With Soap Dish

Daria M. Griffin, 27, of 14 Park Holm, was arrested around noon, Saturday, July 2, on charges simple assault/battery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Police were dispatched to Park Holm for a fight in progress and found the victim lying in a bathtub “barely conscious.” Once he became lucid, he told police Griffin hit him in the head with a soap dish.

Griffin told police she went to the victim's apartment to use the phone, and that he had punched her so she punched him back. She denied hitting him with the dish.

According to reports, the victim has had issues in the past with people taking advantage of him by using his phone and other amenities due to a mental handicap. He told police Griffin walked in and tried to push her out because he did not want her there. He said Griffin punched him in the face several times and punched her back in self defense. According to the victim, Griffin followed him into the bathroom, hit him with the soap dish, and he fell into the tub and lost consciousness.

Lewd Comments Result in Three Arrests

Nick W. Andrade, 21, of 33 Fairview Ave., Middletown, Jared Andrade, 21, of 33 Fairview Ave., Middletown, and Colton Langdon, 22, of 87 Resevoir Road, Middletown, were arrested around 12:47 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. Nick Andrade was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and simple assault/battery. Jared Andrade and Langdon were arrested on charges of obstruction.

Police stopped on Thames Street to monitor a crowd dispersing from Pizza Hollywood. They reportedly saw Nick Andrade stop in front of a woman and make lewd comments and hand gestures at her. She yelled at him to stop and walked away. Officers told him to stop, and he made obscene comments toward them.

After Andrade took a swing at an officer, they tried to place him in handcuffs. He continued to struggle and Jared Andrade had to be held back due to his interference with police during the arrest.

During Andrade's arrest, Langdon also approached officers and continued to yell, distracting them from the arrest. He was also arrested.

Pregnant Woman Allegedly Assaulted by "Uncle Blackbird"

Sylvester Hanson, 56, of 233 W. 36^th St., Norfolk, Va., was arrested around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday for simple assault/battery.

Police were dispatched to 20 Chapel Terrace for reported fighting. They heard a woman talking on the phone about getting punched in the face. She told them she arrived for a cookout and was walking across the lawn when she was approached by a man she knew as “Uncle Blackbird.”

The victim said he slapped her in the face and called her derogatory names, and then punched her again before she blacked out. She also told police she was pregnant and due in two weeks. 

Officers located and arrested him once they found out his real name was Sylvester Hanson.

Boston Man Arrested for Felony Drug Possession

Nathan Jaques, of 110 O. St., Boston, Mass., was arrested around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, on charges of felony drug distribution, possession of marijuana and an active warrant.

Police were dispatched to 28 Park Holm for a loud house party. They arrived and smelled marijuana and continued to search premises. They found two bags of marijuana, plastic bags, and a scale. 

Jaques denied selling any marijuana, but could not explain the scale and bags.

One Arrested for Stolen Bruins Flag

Dakota J. Cowell, 20, of 63 Elm St., Berkley, Mass., was arrested around 1:45 a.m. on Monday, July 4, on charges of larceny under $500.

Police were dispatched to West Narragansett Avenue for a report of vandalism and larceny. The woman who reported the crimes said she was asleep when she heard a breaking sound from outside and saw two men walking out of her gated yard carrying her her Stanley Cup Championship Bruins flag, which they had allegedly broken off from her house. She told police she believed them to have walked into the house next door. Police searched the apartments, but did not find anyone matching the description.

Officers located Cowell hiding under a porch in the backyard of 24 West Narragansett. He was taken to the station and said the flag was probably on the third floor of 14 West Narragansett, which police were not able to search since no one answered the door. He denied taking the flag but said he was present, although did not know the name of the man he was with.

Cowell said he would pay to replace the flag.

Alcohol Arrests 

• Holly Harding, 47, of 105 Church St., and Melinda Morrison, 41, of 29 Narragansett Ave., Newport, were arrested around 2:40 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. Morrison was charged with obstructing an officer and possession of alcohol in public, while Harding was charged with disturbing the peace and littering. Officers saw Morrison carrying a beer and when they told her there was no drinking in public, she allegedly laughed and walked behind a bush and stuck the can in a shrub. She told officers she had a California driver's license, which dispatch could not confirm. She refused to give any more information. Harding accompanied Morrison behind the bush and became angry with officers during questioning. She continued to yell while police were arresting Morrison and was also arrested. [Editor's note: An earlier version of the report incorrectly stated Harding was charged with possession of alcohol.]
• Darragh M. O'Callaghan, 21, of Glaunschull, Cork, Ireland, was cited around 2:26 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, for possession of alcohol in public.
• Christopher Glynn, 18, of 42 Flagstone Place, Bridgewater, Mass., was cited around 2:32 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, for possession of alcohol by a minor.
• Kristin L. Toffey, 20, of 30 Prembrooke Road, Summit, N.J., was cited around 5:48 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, for possession of alcohol by a minor.
• Brett L. Passemato, 19, of 16 Halls St., Revere, Mass., was arrested around 2:25 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, for first-offense possession of marijuana and possession of alcohol by a minor.
• Martin Ventoso, 18, of 701 N. 8^th St., Newark, N.J., was cited around 3:49 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, for possession of alcohol by a minor. 
• Jeremy Phillips, 18, of 168 Brigantine St., Norwell, Mass., was cited around 3:18 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, for possession of alcohol by a minor.
• Matthew A. Braun, 24, of 49 Lincoln St., Trumbull, Conn., was cited around 5:51 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, for possession of alcohol in public.
• Michael V. Mallozzi, 24, of 404 St. Michael Way, Newport News., Va., was cited for possession of alcohol in public around 5:51 p.m. on Saturday, July 2.
• Philip A. Paquet, 33, of 1946 Washington St., Auburndale, Mass., was cited around 1:41 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, for possession of alcohol in public.

• William Clarke, 21, of Kings Farm, Lissacaha, Schull, Ireland, was cited around 2:16 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, for possession of alcohol in public.
• Kyle Bruneau, 20, of 7 Chestnut Hill Road, Middletown, was cited around 12:36 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, for possession of alcohol by a minor. 
• John McCabe, 18, of 74 River Run Road, Middletown, was cited around 12:23 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, for possession of alcohol by a minor.

Assault Arrests

• Carlos A. Walker, 42, of 143 Beacon St., Newport, was arrested around 10:47 a.m. on Monday, July 4, on charges of simple assault/battery. Police responded to a report of a juvenile who was assaulted by his father. When officers arrived, the victim was on the phone with DCYF and had a cut on his eye. He told police Walker punched him in the face after a verbal argument. His sister, who witnessed the assault, confirmed his story. The Newport Fire Department transported the victim to Newport Hospital for treatment. Walker said his son had been giving him problems and could not keep him in the house. He was taken to the police station for booking.
• A 17-year-old Newport girl was arrested around 4:15 p.m. on Friday, July 1, on charges of domestic assault/battery. Police were dispatched to 25 Sunset Blvd. For an anonymous report of a physical altercation. The victim had visible scratches and said his girlfriend assaulted him. She admitted to trying to kick him and slapping him, however would not reveal what the fight was about. Police said the girl was no longer allowed to contact the victim.
• Edson C. Coelho, 23, of 37 Howard St., Newport, was arrested around 1:11 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, on charges of simple assault/battery. Police responded to Rhino Bar to two bouncers detain Coelho. They told officers he had been bothering a woman coat attendant and asked him to leave. According to the bouncers, Coelho punched one of them in the face and fled. He was later detained and handed over to police.
• Timothy Martucci, 24, of Fort Sill, Okla., was arrested around 12:42 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, on charges of simple assault/battery. Police were dispatched to Rhino Bar where doorman were detaining Martucci. One of the doormen was bleeding, and told police Martucci punched him. According to reports, bouncers said they asked Martucci to leave after refusing to remove his hat. Martucci said he felt they were using excessive force and hit one of them in the head.

Disorderly Conduct Arrests

• Keehln M. Edwards, 24, of 4 Carroll Ave., Newport, was arrested around 1:29 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, on charges of disorderly conduct. Police observed a disturbance near Bannisters Wharf and saw people arguing. They separated the groups and told them to go on their way. According to reports, Edwards continued to yell at officers and say he did not have to go anywhere. He was handcuffed, transported to the station and booked.
• Sean D. Walden, 37, of Newport, was arrested around 6:40 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, on charges of attempted breaking and entering and domestic disorderly conduct. Police responded to 234-2 Maple Ave. for a report that Walden tried to kick in the front door. According to reports, police had already responded that night because Walden was intoxicated and was unwanted at the residence. The victim said he broke her bedroom window trying to get her attention and refused to leave even after police him to. He fled the scene and was located at Hill Mart.
• Dennis Versiackas, 52, of Newport, was arrested around 1:44 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, on charges of disorderly conduct. Police were dispatched to the Newport Hospital emergency room for a report of a man refusing to leave. When police arrived, staff said Versiackas had been treated but refused to leave. After speaking with officers, Versiackas said he wouldn't leave and that he was homeless.
• Ryan A. Wisser, 23, of 505 37^th St., New York, N.Y., was arrested around 11:44 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, on charges of disorderly conduct after allegedly obstructing the front entrance to Riptides and threatening police.
• Jerry A. Fisher, 27, of 3 Hall Ave., was arrested around 7:45 p.m. on Monday, July 4, on charges of domestic disorderly conduct. Police were dispatched to the residence for a report of Fisher acting violently and breaking things. The woman who reported the incident said her daughter, who is mentally challenged, had locked herself in the bedroom in fear of Fisher. Officers detained him and found the refrigerater open and broken mirror. The girl told police Fisher started to break things so she locked herself in the bedroom. According to her mother, Fisher had previously dated her older daughter and she took him in once he was released from prison because he needed a place to stay.
• Francisco J. Jimenez, 25, of 156 Western Ave., Morristown, N.J., was arrested around 6:45 p.m. on Monday, July 4, for disorderly conduct and vandalism. Police were dispatched to Long Wharf by the Marriott Hotel for a report of a man jumping on the hood of a car. The victim said he was in his car when Jimenez stopped his car in front of the hotel. He and another woman got out of the car and another car behind the victim beeped. According to the reports, Jimenez became enraged and began yelling and swearing. He reportedly jumped on the hood of the car, leaving a large dent.
• Freddie D. Hicks, 20, of 3 Sgt. Weideman St., Newport, was arrested around 1:31 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, on charges of disorderly conduct. Police responded to a fight at Waites Wharf and saw Hicks fighting in a large crowd in the middle of the street. They could not see who he was swinging at and, according to reports, refused to comply with commands to get on the ground. He was brought down and officers dispersed the crowd.

Other Arrests

• Megan G. Reilly, 25, of 3 Fourwinds Lane, Malvern, Penn., was cited around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, for a noise violation. 
• Jeffrey Brooks, 26, of 41 Webster St., Newport, was cited around 12:48 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, for urinating in public.
• Jeremy M. Wilmot, 25, of 4 Webster St., Newport, was cited for a noise violation around 4:51 a.m. on Saturday, July 2.
• Tadhg McCarthy, 20, of Gort Na, Gough, Cork, Ireland, was cited around 11:08 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, for using a fake ID at One Pelham East.
• Shamik Steele, 19, of 31 Rolling Green Dr., Fall River, Mass., Ty Stromly, 18, of 54 Meadow Brook Dr., South Kingstown, and Damon C. Morris, 20, of 7 Kingston Ave., Newport, were cited around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, for occupying the Cliff Walk after closing. 
• Jason M. Russo, 27, of 110 O St., Boston, Mass., was cited around 2:50 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, for a noise violation. 
• Hicham Elayadi, 30, of 8 Heath St., Newport, was cited around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, for an expired hackney license. Policed pulled him over after he sped by multiple times. His license expired on May 30, 2011.
• Kenneth Gardner, 46, of 1449 Bullocks Point, East Providence, was cited around 8:55 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, for urinating in public.
• Dayle L. Harden, 46, of 16 Brinley St., Newport, and Meredith A. Klassner, 33, of 15 Meeting St., Newport, were arrested around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, for violating a domestic protective order. The two had the order against each other. The police were called after they had a verbal argument.

The above reports detail arrests made by the . Descriptions of all events are based solely on police officer reports provided to Patch.