Newport Wedding Party Arrested During Late Night Melee -- One Charged With Assaulting Officer
GoLocalProv News Team
Newport Wedding Party Arrested During Late Night Melee -- One Charged With Assaulting Officer
A Newport police officer was repeatedly punched in the face and suffered a broken nose, following an interaction with a wedding party in the city overnight on Saturday.
The incident took place at Bowen’s Wharf outside the Newport Landing shortly after midnight Sunday morning.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Police Reports State:
According to a written statement by Newport Police Sergeant Stephen Carrig -- who was reportedly assaulted during the melee -- the following is what transpired.
”Upon arrival. I observed Officer Cole speaking with staff and Officer White standing by with the unwanted party, David Onik, near the parking area on Bowen's Wharf. Officer Cole informed me that David pushed one employee at The Landing and attempted to punch another. David began pointing aggressively toward the staff members [who] Officer Cole was speaking with accusing him of an assault.
I walked over to David and placed him in handcuffs with the assistance of Officer White using her second pair and instructed the other parties, Rachel Onik and Alexandra Flaherty, standing in the area to back up. I explained to David that he was detained at the moment. I spoke with Officer Cole regarding the incident that took place inside The Landing and to see if anyone wanted to pursue a charge.
While speaking with Officer Cole, Rachel walked back over to David and began speaking with him again then several seconds later a second female, who David said was his sister-in-law, approached him and began having a conversation. Officer Cole and I walked back over to David, and I instructed the two females to back up from the immediate area,” wrote Carrig in his report.
Carrig continues, “Approximately one minute later, Rachel returned for the third time attempting to speak with David and prevent us from investigating the incident inside The Landing. I grabbed onto Rachel's right upper arm and began to move her away from David so I could place her in handcuffs. As I backed her away from David she tripped and fell over the uneven brick and stone. I was immediately rushed by a blonde female wearing a white dress and black jacket who pushed me. I pushed her back out of the way to create distance."
"I secured her right arm behind her back and walked her over to the wall of a nearby business. While doing so a crowd quickly gathered. While I was attempting to secure the female in handcuffs, several people started pulling and pushing me from behind. I turned to push them away to create distance and was kicked in the groin by Alexandra Flaherty. I struck Alexandra in the face with an open hand slap, again to create distance, while I maintained control of the female in the white dress and black jacket. When I returned my attention to the female I had physical control of I was struck in the face causing me to fall and strike the back of my head on the brick/cobblestone. My vision became extremely blurry to the point I could not focus on anything or even see people. I was unable to tell which way was up or down for several seconds leaving me completely defenseless," he wrote.
Carrig added, “Eventually, I was able to regain my [sic] barrings and get to my feet. I radioed for additional units to respond to our location. I located Alexandra, pulled her to the wall near Scrimshaw and attempted to place her in handcuffs when, Olivia Costello, interfered by attempting to place her body between Alexandra and [redacted]. Another Officer was able to gain control of Alexandra, so I secured Olivia and placed her in handcuffs. Blood was filling in my mouth and dripping off of my nose. The crowd was still very agitated and numerous people were pushing and shoving to get to Officers. I radioed again for more units to respond to our location. A short time later Officers responded and were able to secure several individuals.”
“I escorted Olivia to a cruiser parked on Market Sq. where she was secured and later transported by an Officer to the Newport Police Station for booking. NFD arrived on scene and I was checked out by them. I was still bleeding from my nose and had throbbing pain in it. I responded back to the Newport Police Station where I briefed Lt. Barden. Captain Naylor arrived a short time later and transported me to Newport Hospital,” said Carrig.
The police report from Newport states the following:
Robert Nash of Marshfield, MA is charged with:
1 ASSAULT OF POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS N Felony
11-5-5 11-5 5 - SERIOUS INJURY
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
WEAPON/FORCED USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc)
AGGR. ASSAULT/HOMICIDE: Assault on Law Enforcement Officer(s)
2 SIMPLE ASSAULT OR BATTERY N Misdemeanor
11-5-3 11-5 3
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
WEAPON/FORCED USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc)
3 RESISTING LEGAL OR ILLEGAL ARREST N Misdemeanor
12-7-10 12-7 10
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
4. OBSTRUCTING OFFICER IN EXECUTION OF DUTY N Misdemeanor
11-32-1 11-32 1
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
5 DISORDERLY CONDUCT N Misdemeanor
11-45-1 11-45 1
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
David Onik of Barrington has been charged with:
1 DISORDERLY CONDUCT N Misdemeanor
11-45-1 11-45 1
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
# PERSON(S) PERSON TYPE
Alexandria Flaherty of Marshfield, MA, faces multiple charges, including:
1 ASSAULT OF POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS N Felony
11-5-5 11-5 5 - MINOR INJURY
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
WEAPON/FORCED USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc)
2 SIMPLE ASSAULT OR BATTERY N Misdemeanor
11-5-3 11-5 3
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
WEAPON/FORCED USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc)
3 RESISTING LEGAL OR ILLEGAL ARREST N Misdemeanor
12-7-10 12-7 10
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
Olivia Costello of Milton, MA faces:
1 SIMPLE ASSAULT OR BATTERY N Misdemeanor
11-5-3 11-5 3
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
WEAPON/FORCED USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc)
2 RESISTING LEGAL OR ILLEGAL ARREST N Misdemeanor
12-7-10 12-7 10
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
3 OBSTRUCTING OFFICER IN EXECUTION OF DUTY N Misdemeanor
11-32-1 11-32 1
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
4 DISORDERLY CONDUCT N Misdemeanor
11-45-1 11-45 1
OCCURRED: 09/10/2023 0035
This story was first published at 9/10/23 6:11 PM