Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

CUMBERLAND, R.I. -- A 19-year-old from Cumberland got into a bad argument with his mother early Monday morning, according to the police. When the police came, he fought with them. To escape, he jumped into the Blackstone River and swam across to Lincoln, only to be caught later in the woods by a police dog.

That's what Cumberland police said happened after Jonathan Pora's mother called them to the house at 205 Kay St. around 6:30 a.m.

When the Cumberland Police arrived, Pora had barricaded himself in his room, according to Chief John Desmarais. Two officers forced their way into the bedroom, but Pora jumped out the window of his first-story bedroom, Desmarais said.

Outside, Lt. Stephen Duda confronted Pora, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and weighs about 200 pounds. The two scuffled and another officer tried to intercede. Pora broke away and fled. Duda was taken to an urgent care facility where he was treated for a possible fracture to his nose, according to Sgt. George Stansfield.

Pora fled into a Manville Hill Road neighborhood, into a wooded area, and down to the river's edge. He jumped into the Blackstone River and began swimming across to Lincoln, Desmarais said, prompting a search by more than 13 police officers and firefighters from Cumberland, Lincoln and Pawtucket.

The Cumberland Hill Fire Department put two inflatable motor boats in the river near the bike path in the Albion area of Lincoln looking for Pora. Pawtucket Police with a police dog were called to help search for Pora in the woods.

At around 9:45, the dog found Pora hiding in wooded area near the Lincoln bike path toward Manville Hill Road, according to Stansfield. Pora struggled and tried to run away but the dog caught him, Stansfield said.

Pora was taken to the Landmark Medical Center, in Woonsocket, for treatment of injuries he received from his struggles with the police and the dog, Stansfield said. Demarais said he is also being evaluated.

Cumberland police charged Pora with assault of a police officer, simple assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned by justice of the peace Monday.

The Providence Journal has been following this story today as it develops. Our initial report was published at 8:53 a.m.

 Tags  Blackstone River Cumberland RI Jonathan Pora Lincoln RI Pawtucket RI Woonsocket RI

Comments

Michael said:

Any updates?

Link | August 17, 2009 12:31 PM
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chowhound said:

The officer involved? Was it appropriate to fight an obviously troubled young man in a highly charged situation. Maybe someone needs anger management retraining.

Link | August 17, 2009 6:38 PM
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Joker316 said:

It's just another manic Monday....ever wonder how the begining of your day goes and this is how it ends? Then you sit there afterwards and just say to yourself-what the heck happened?

Link | August 17, 2009 7:30 PM
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Ron said:

19 years old? Time to be a man and move out of mommies house.

Link | August 17, 2009 8:09 PM
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Evan said:

Ron,

Maybe you need to grow up. Maybe the "19 year old" DID move out of mommy's house, and had some trouble being on his own. Ever think of that buddy?

Link | August 18, 2009 5:52 PM
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ReadBetter said:

Chowhound, the word "fight" never appeared, if police aren't allowed to touch people, they can't do their job and we aren't safe. Long story short, if this guy were to hurt anybody while he was on the run, and the police did nothing about it, you'd probably be the first to yell about them not doing their job to protect the public!!!

Link | August 19, 2009 8:50 AM
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anonymous said:

The guy must have been pretty desperate to jump into the Blackstone River! I noticed that the dogs didn't jump in.

Link | August 20, 2009 9:38 AM
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