Newport Man Charged With Cyberstalking

NEWPORT, RI — A Newport man was arrested for cyberstalking after a quarrel with his cousin over a girlfriend. Peter Younce, 21, said his cousin almost side-swiped him near Wellington and Roseneath avenues. The reason is because Younce is dating his ex-girlfriend, he told police.

Police found Younce walking along Roseneath Avenue, shortly after midnight Monday morning. They were called to the area at Thames Street and Wellington for a report about two men yelling. One, in a car, sped off.

When police asked for details, Younce said his cousin has been stalking the couple. The cousin drives by his girlfriend's house all the time and by Nikolas Pizza, where she works.

Police stopped a car in front of 66 Malbone Road and spoke to the cousin. He claimed to have received several threatening text messages and 51 unanswered telephone calls in a row. The two cousins had been at a wedding in Jamestown on Sunday, and the girlfriend was also there. The cousin claimed Younce was angry because he and his ex-girlfriend had spoken. He also claimed Younce texted him and threatened to vandalize his car.

Police asked him why he was driving by his ex-girlfriend's house, and he said he likes Ocean Drive and uses Wellington as his route. He said he was not going to the ex-girlfriend's house. He was going for a drive, so Younce could not find the car and vandalize it. Officers asked him how they ended up in a fight at that location. The cousin speculated it might be because his car is loud, and Younce heard him coming.

His mother also told police she received text messages from Younce allegedly threatening her son. She also said Younce telephoned her. She allowed officers to photograph text messages Younce sent but would not make a statement.

Police spoke to the girlfriend who admitted she and Younce had quarreled at the wedding because she had spoken to her ex-boyfriend. She also confirmed they both felt her ex was stalking them. Asked why she did not report the stalking, she said it was because they are cousins. She declined to give a statement or make a report, however.

Younce was charged at 1:30 a.m. on Monday with a misdemeanor for cyberstalking and cyberharrassment prohibited.