Police: Alleged Erratic Driver Skirts DUI Charge, But Assaults Cop

After an erratic driver report at around midnight Thursday, Newport police found a 30-year-old allegedly intoxicated Newport man and his Jeep at the Breakers Stables -- but not together.

But Jonathan P. Golda, of 40 Bateman Ave., was still charged with simple assault and resisting arrest after he allegedly assaulted a police officer investigating the erratic driver report.

Police said at around 11:53 p.m., a woman approached an officer on patrol on Gordon Street and she was nearly hyperventilating as she described a red Jeep swerving in the road and driving onto the curb.

She said she saw the Jeep drive into the Breakers Stables off Bateman Avenue and police soon found it unattended with a warm hood and a cooler on the passenger seat next to a pair of keys.

The Jeep appeared to have no damage. An officer heard a noise about 25 yards away and saw a man, later identified as Golda, standing between a Dumpster and van.

The officer yelled “come here” and Golda reportedly took off running but it wasn’t long before the pursuing officer found him lying face down against the building in an apparent attempt to hide.

Police said Golda appeared intoxicated and when asked what he was doing in the stables at midnight, he told officers that he just wanted to go home.

Though police believed Golda drove intoxicated, he insisted he had been walking around the city all night.

After an investigation, police concluded that they did not have conclusive evidence that he was behind the wheel of the Jeep.

But Golda reportedly became combative towards police and assaulted an officer by bumping him. He was eventually taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Golda was held overnight for arraignment on Thursday.

The Jeep was towed from the scene.

WARRANT

Police charged Conor Dillon Carr, 29, 15 Meeting St., Newport, with a warrant Sept. 17 at 10:45 a.m.

Police said they responded to a Chapel Street address for a reported dispute and found Carr at the scene.

Police said a warrant was out for his arrest for failing to appear for a pretrial conference on a violating a no-contact order, third offense.