Police: Man stole Providence cruiser after scuffle with officer
by: Sarah Doiron
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A 34-year-old man was arrested Tuesday evening after he reportedly got into a scuffle with an officer in Providence before taking off in his cruiser.
Ishmael Lee has been charged with simple assault, motor vehicle theft, possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, reckless driving and obstruction of justice.
Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez told 12 News an officer was on patrol when he noticed two men riding Slingshots in a bike lane on Broad Street. Perez said the officer decided to pull them over after he noticed one of the men, later identified as Lee, driving recklessly.
Perez said while speaking with the men, the officer noticed Lee was acting suspiciously. Lee eventually took off running with a satchel, according to Perez, and the officer chased him around the corner onto Colfax Street.
The two struggled briefly, during which Perez said Lee broke free and a firearm fell from his satchel. Lee took off running again, according to Perez, as the officer stayed with the firearm and called for backup.
That’s when Perez said Lee hopped into the officer’s cruiser and drove it a short distance down the road before abandoning it at the intersection of Elmwood and Atlantic avenues.
Officers searched the neighborhood for Lee and eventually took him into custody on Gwinnett Court, according to Perez.