Rhode Island Man Arrested in New Bedford After Allegedly ‘Lashing Out’ at Cops

NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford police have arrested a Warwick, Rhode Island man on multiple charges after he allegedly hit two officers when they found him under the influence of drugs in his car on May 7.

Ryan Dupuis, 34, was arrested on OUI and assault and battery charges on Sunday evening, according to police spokesman Lt. Scott Carola.

Carola said patrol units were sent to the Dunkin' at 1746 Purchase St. at around 6 p.m. Sunday for a report of an unresponsive person in the driver's seat of a car.

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The officers arrived to find the man — later identified as Dupuis — with the keys in the ignition, according to police.

They woke him up, and a search allegedly turned up a controlled substance along with drug paraphernalia, although police did not say which substance or items were found.

Carola said Dupuis "appeared to be under the influence of narcotics" and "became erratic on the scene and lashed out at the officers."

Although Carola said he struck two of the officers, neither one was seriously injured.

Dupuis is charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer as well as operating under the influence of narcotics, resisting arrest, and possessing a class B substance.