Crime & Safety
Newport Police Log: Man Allegedly Attempts to Gouge Friend's Eye Out
The following is based on reports from the Newport Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
Raul J. Matta, 45, of 30 Howard Ave., Cranston, was arrested around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, for a felony assault charge.
According to police reports, Matta allegedly tried to gouge out another man’s eye at the Pineapple Inn.
Police were dispatched to the inn for a reported assault. When they arrived, the victim was bleeding from his head and his eyelid had been partially ripped off, reports said.
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The Newport Fire Department was also on the scene treating him. The man was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
According to the victim, the two friends had been staying at a shelter in Cranston, but decided to stay at the Pineapple Inn to get away for a few days. The two got into an argument over money which Matta accused him of taking.
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Matta lunged at the victim, pushed him, and tried to gouge his eyes out, the victim said.
When police questioned Matta, he told them that the victim threw a handful of cash Matta had been saving for cigarettes onto the bed.
Matta said the victim started the physical fight.
Reports also said dispatch received a call from man that Matta had called asking for a ride to get out of the state quickly because he had just tried to gouge out a man's eye.
No contact order violation
Kasandra Santana, 30, of 70 Carroll Ave., Newport, was arrested around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, for violating a no contact order.
On Oct. 22, police were dispatched to a Newport Green apartment for a dispute between Santana and another man.
The two had been in the same apartment together and the man had a no contact order against her.
Santana turned herself in to police for processing on Wednesday.
Warrant arrest
Kenneth A. Browne, 46, of 8 Ayrault St., Newport, was arrested around 10:21 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, for an active warrant for harassing phone calls.
The above reports detail arrests made by the Newport Police Department. Descriptions of all events are based solely on police officer reports provided to Patch.
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