Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WOONSOCKET, RI -- A local man was arraigned this morning on charges he assaulted a police officer.

Edwin Sánchez, 29, of 40 Montcalm St., was charged with assaulting Officer Eric McNeice yesterday while McNeice handled an unrelated motor vehicle stop.

Bail was set at $10,000, with surety, on the disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assult on a police officer charges. Sánchez, who is in the country on an expired visa, was ordered held on an immigration detainer. He was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Police say McNeice had pulled over a motorist when Sánchez approached him in a belligerent manner complaining about an unrelated incident.

Sánchez, police said, did not know the motorist who had been stopped. It is unclear what prompted Sánchez's outburst.

McNeice, police said, ordered Sánchez to leave or face arrest. Sánchez refused to leave. When McNeice grabbed Sánchez's arm to arrest him, police said Sánchez punched McNeice on the face. With the force of the impact, McNeice slipped and fell on the ice. As McNeice tried to get up, Sánchez punched him several times on the face and head.

A man who saw the assault tackled Sánchez until backup officers arrived shortly thereafter and arrested Sánchez.

McNeice was treated and released from Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket for swelling to his head, face, and jaw.

-- Reported by Journal staff writer Tatiana Pina

 Tags  Providence Woonsocket

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