4 days ago
Caught with Nazi flag, mopped driver stomped on Cape Verdean flag outside East Prov. City Hall
EAST PROVIDENCE – A Lincoln man faces vandalism and other charges after he stomped on a Cape Verdean flag posted outside City Hall during a Cape Verdean Independence Day ceremony on July 2, according to the East Providence police.
When police caught up to the 27-year-old man riding away on a moped, they found him to have a large Nazi flag and a 6-inch knife.
The incident happened around noon, while the ceremony was being held inside City Hall. The police say the man drove up to City Hall on a moped, walked up to three flags outside the entrance and threw both the United States flag and the Cape Verdean flag onto the ground.
Witnesses reported that the man stomped on the Cape Verdean flag, and the incident was caught on a video surveillance camera.
The police said they caught the man a short distance from City Hall.
The man is being charged with vandalism, disorderly conduct and possession of a prohibited weapon. He is scheduled for arraignment on July 3 in District Court, Providence. The East Providence police are consulting with the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office to determine whether to pursue hate crime enhancements.
"The City of East Providence takes great pride in being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community for all,' Mayor Bob DaSilva said in a press release. "There is no room in this city for acts of hatred and vandalism. Our administration condemns all hateful acts and will continue to make it abundantly clear that East Providence is an inclusive community where hate is neither welcome nor tolerated."
Acting Police Chief Michael Rapoza said, "Our agency takes these acts of vandalism seriously and will pursue hate crime enhancements when warranted. I'd like to thank the ceremony attendees for alerting the police and our officers who responded quickly and apprehended the suspect. There is no place for this type of behavior in our city."
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Charged with vandalism, man knocked over U.S., Cape Verdean flags
