Man Assaults Mother and Children, Bites Good Samaritan in Kennedy Plaza
GoLocalProv News Team
Man Assaults Mother and Children, Bites Good Samaritan in Kennedy Plaza
A man accosted children who were with their mother in Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence on Tuesday morning.
The suspect reportedly assaulted the children’s mother as he grabbed the children.
According to police, a bystander who tried to help the family was bitten by the suspect, who then fled the scene.
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About Incident
Officers responded to City Hall shortly after 7 AM on Tuesday for a report of a disturbance.
Police said that officers at Kennedy Plaza spoke with the female victim, who said she was with her two children about to ride a bus, when she heard someone approach them from behind.
She said a man grabbed one of her children’s heads, shouting, “Save the kids!”
The victim told police she screamed and tried to pull her child back at which time the man punched her repeatedly in the face and again tried to grab her children.
According to police, multiple bystanders came to the women’s aid; a male bystander who put the suspect in a headlock was then bitten by the suspect, who fled the scene on foot.
Suspect Located and Arrested
Police said they located the suspect - later identified as Dinis Pimental, age 57 - on Sabin Street; they say after a foot pursuit, Pimental was stopped outside Caffe Nero on Fountain Street.
According to police, Pimental attempted to bite officers and resist arrest, and after being given verbal commands to stop, was delivered elbow and knee strikes by officers.
He was arrested and taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment for a laceration on his head.
Pimental is now facing multiple charges.