'Spanish Music' Provokes Alleged Assault On Malbone Road

NEWPORT, RI — Jonathan David Mendez, 32, of Newport, was charged with Simple assault or battery and Disorderly Conduct on Sunday at 11:53 a.m. According to the arrest report, he was going along Malbone Road when a resident walked out of his house and told Mendez to turn down the music volume. Mendez said the alleged victim punched him, but the resident told police Mendez punched him and vowed to return with a gun. In an attempt to avoid conflict, he told police, he had taken off his shirt to intimidate Mendez, who was playing "loud Spanish music." Another Malbone Road resident backed up his neighbor's version, and police charged Mendez with the two misdemeanors.