Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE -- The police allege that a drug suspect who was brought to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment today struck the officer who had arrested him and then tried to escape.

The police had caught Willie Franklin, 46, with drugs, which he ingested during the arrest, said Maj. Paul Fitzgerald. Franklin was brought to the emergency room at Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

When Officer Richard Ramirez removed Franklin’s handcuffs, the suspect, whom the police call 'Tiger,' assaulted Ramirez, breaking the officer’s nose and giving him two black eyes, Fitzgerald said. Franklin took off from the emergency room, running outside, where he was grabbed by the hospital security officers, according to the police.

Franklin is back in the hospital, back in custody, and now facing a felony assault charge, Fitzgerald said.

-- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.