NORTH SMITHFIELD – A 31-year-old Woonsocket man was arrested by North Smithfield police after a witness said she saw him assault a woman in a car in the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru.
And while both he and the victim denied that the incident became violent, the state criminal database reveals a decade-long history of arrests, including dozens of similar charges across the state.
Christopher Kelly, 31, of Woonsocket, was charged with felony domestic assault and disorderly conduct following an incident on Wednesday, June 3.
According to reports, a witness told police Kelly struck the female operator of a vehicle at the coffee shop in Park Square. The witness said she followed the car, and also saw Kelly grab the woman by her neck as they were traveling along Smithfield Road.
The alleged victim, a 26-year-old female from North Providence, had fresh, visible marks and bruises, according to police. Her two children were in the back seat, a 8-month-old and a 2-year-old who was visibly upset, according to reports.
The victim denied there had been a physical altercation and said the injuries occurred during a previous incident in North Providence, and that she had filed a report.
Officers contacted North Providence police and learned that they had not had contact with the victim in more than a month.
Kelly also denied that an incident took place, telling police that no one could have seen what was happening inside the car because of its tinted windows.
The state criminal database shows that Kelly’s criminal record dates back to 2009, and includes more than 20 charges of domestic violence out of varying precincts including 12 in North Providence and ten in Johnston. His record also includes multiple charges of conspiracy, vandalism, felony assault, violation of a protective order, driving with a suspended license, larceny of more than $1,500, breaking and entering, and driving without consent of the owner of a vehicle,
Kelly was released on a $5,000 surety bond with conditions that he have no contact with the victim. He has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3.
