Police say an underage Halloween party attended by more than 100 people resulted in guests fleeing into traffic and many arrests.
On Friday, Cranston police officers rushed to a huge Halloween party on Weston Avenue after receiving a 911 call reporting a disturbance with numerous people fighting.
At around 9:43 p.m., responding cops came upon a crowd of up to 150 people, many of whom were attendees. Officers witnessed people fleeing the premises and rushing through traffic on Cranston Street, posing a serious safety risk to both pedestrians and cars. Additional Cranston police officers were called to help control the gathering and securely disperse visitors. The Providence Police Department and Rhode Island State Police also responded to offer mutual aid.
During the response, authorities noticed minor guests, some as young as 15, possessing and drinking alcoholic beverages. Four teenagers were arrested in connection with the event for a variety of charges, including hindering an officer’s performance of duty and disorderly conduct. Three adolescent females aged 15 and 16 were later identified as having ingested alcohol during the event. Preliminary breath tests at police headquarters revealed the presence of alcohol. One of the three was also charged with possessing alcoholic beverages while under the age of 17 and possessing one ounce or less of marijuana.
Officers investigating the gathering met with the adult resident on Weston Avenue, who agreed to host the party in her home. She indicated that the event was intended to be a smaller gathering of her 17-year-old daughter’s pals.
A search of the property’s side and backyard yielded numerous discarded alcoholic beverage containers, as well as empty shot cups and small liquor bottles openly placed on a table. Based on the circumstances, investigators concluded that the gathering involved the availability and consumption of alcohol by minors, which raised serious safety concerns for the juvenile attendees.
Silvia Acevedo, 47, of Weston Avenue in Cranston, was arrested and charged with one count of giving or procuring alcoholic beverages for minors. She was held for arraignment.
Additionally, Mathias Henebury, 52, of Custer Avenue in Johnston, was arrested in connection with the disturbance. Henebury interfered with authorities attempting to detain a youngster escaping police. After being told he was being arrested, Henebury resisted authorities and a responding supervisor. He has been charged with:
* Simple Assault
* Disorderly Conduct
* Obstructing an Officer in the Execution of Duty
* Resisting Legal or Illegal Arrest
Henebury was detained pending an arraignment before a justice of the peace.
The parents or guardians of the three adolescent females carried to police headquarters were notified, and they responded to assume care of the children.
The Cranston Police Department warns parents and guardians that large gatherings with underage drinking pose considerable dangers to the safety of young people and the community. Adults who intentionally authorise or facilitate the possession or drinking of alcohol by minors may face criminal penalties under Rhode Island’s social host legislation.
The Cranston Police Department appreciates the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police for assisting police in managing and safely dispersing the big crowd.
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