7 Arrested In Newport After 2 Officers Are Assaulted: Police

NEWPORT, RI — Seven people are facing charges after Newport police said two of their officers were assaulted on Tuesday night.

Around 9:12 p.m., Newport police were dispatched to the Festival Field Housing Development at 90 Girard Avenue for a report of domestic violence. Police said they identified Angel Cruz Martinez, 28, of Newport, as a suspect, who was wanted on domestic simple assault, domestic disorderly conduct, vandalism, and larceny charges.

When officers found Martinez, they tried to take him into custody, but he punched the officers and pushed them away, police said. While officers were struggling with Martinez, several by-standers attacked the officers by kicking and punching them, according to police. More officers then arrived on scene to thwart the assaults on the two officers, police said.

The two Newport police officers were taken to Newport Hospital and were treated and released after suffering minor injuries.

Martinez was also charged with simple assault and resisting arrest. That night, three other people were arrested in connection to the fight. Jose Carreras, 39, of Newport, was charged with assault of a police officer, simple assault, and disorderly conduct. Calvin Febles, 28, of Middletown, was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty. Jetsenia Luna Schmidt, 37, of Newport, was charged with disorderly conduct.

The next day, three more people were arrested after police said they were also involved in the assault on two Newport officers.

Keyshla Cruz Martinez, 33, Jose Cruz Ortiz, 40, and Mayra Custodio, 27, all of Newport, were charged with simple assault, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct.