Providence Man Attacked Newport Firefighters: Police Allege

NEWPORT, RI — A Providence man faces numerous charges after he allegedly tore a fire alarm box off the wall at the Festival Field apartments. Raymond Joseph Gervais, 27, was at the complex and attempting to visit a woman, witnesses said. They told police Gervais had "some history" with the apartment and did not let him inside. Instead, they gave him $6 to take a bus back to Providence. Police were called on Wednesday at 11:17 p.m. when he allegedly threatened Newport firefighters, who were attempting to fix a fire call box, which someone had ripped off the wall. He's accused of raising his hands, clenching his fists and asking the firefighters, "You wanna go?"

Witnesses could not say they saw Gervais tear down the fire box but described hearing noise in the hallway. When police arrived, they initially thought Gervais was an assault victim, due to blood coming from his nose and mouth. He did ask them for help, police said but then he allegedly struggled with officers and had to be handcuffed. He was charged with Vandalizing alarms or call boxes; resisting arrest; Simple assault or battery; and disorderly conduct. Officers took him to the hospital for treatment and then took him into custody after more trouble happened leaving the hospital, police allege.