Crime & Safety

Police Log: Man Arrested For Punching Woman, Throwing Furniture Into Street

The following arrest information was supplied by the Woonsocket Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

 

On Sept. 22 at about 3:23 a.m., officer Jeffry Gagnon was dispatched to the area of Burnside Avenue for a report of a motorist leaving the scene of an accident.

On his way, Gagnon observed 10-15 people gathered in front of 124 Burnside Avenue, apparently unrelated to the accident call. Gagnon noticed there was debris in the road that appeared to be smashed pieces of furniture.

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As Gagnon exited his vehicle, several members of the crowd approached, saying "You've got to stop him," according to the report.

Gagnon witnessed a man, Matthew Priest, 24, of 53 North Main St., apt. 2R,  and a woman arguing, with a third person trying to separate the two. Priest screamed at the woman that he woud punch her in the face, "again".

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Gagnon attempted to lead Priest away from the argument, but Priest resisted, and in the struggle Gagnon knocked him to his knees. A second officer helped to restrain Priest.

A witness told Gagnon that Priest asked him to remove the woman from inside the residence, "Before I go to jail," he said. When he saw the woman a little while later, he said, Priest took a table and threw it into the street, breaking it. He then also grabbed a nearby chair and threw it at the woman before punching her in the face.

A rescue was called for the woman to be transported to Landmark Medical Center, and Priest was arrested for simple assault, resisting arrest, domestic assault and disorderly conduct.


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