Man In Jail for Illegal Knife, Suspended License Charged for Vandalizing Cell

A man Woonsocket police charged with driving on a suspended license and carrying a illegal knife added vandalism to the charges against him when he pounded on the plexiglass of his cell, cracking it.

Jacob Aaron Lawson, 29, of 45 Ascension St., apt. 2FL, wound up in a cell within hearing of his girlfriend had been placed in March 25 at 5:52 a.m When Officer Jeffrey Gagnon checked in on them, he noticed a window in Lawson's cell was cracked. When he asked Lawson about it, the man said he had caused the damage by banging on the window with the palm of his hand. Gagnon noted the window had suffered prisoners' blows in the past without damage. Gagnon reported that Lawson repeatedly banged on the window while telling the woman to calm down.

Later, Lawson told Gagnon he'd swallowed some pills and needed help. Lawson was transported to Landmark Medical Center for an evaluation, and charged with vandalism, added to earlier charges of driving with a suspended license and possession of prohibited weapons.

Earlier that evening, at  3:32 a.m., according to a report by Officer Jesse Nunnemacher, Lawson had been stopped for driving his gray 2012 Vokswagen the wrong way on High Street. During the stop, police learned Lawson's license had been suspended. They also discovered he was carrying a knife longer than the 3" limit.

At the same time and location, Stephanie Lanagan, 21, of 45 Ascension St., apt. 2R, was arrested for disorderly conduct.