JPD: Suspect Tried to Drive into Cruiser

arrested a North Providence man for a second time in two weeks after officers said he attempted to crash his car head-on into a police cruiser during a high-speed chase on Apr. 14.

Anthony C. Furia, 20, of 242 Waterman Ave., North Providence, faces felony charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, his car; eluding an officer with a motor vehicle; reckless driving, second offense; and two counts of driving with a suspended license.

In the previous case, Furia turned himself into police on Mar. 31 following an early-morning high speed chase.

According to police reports, Ptlm. Derrick Palazzo responded to 3 Indian Valley Dr. around 5 am on April 14 for a report of Furia parking his car in front of the home and honking the car horn.

Officers have responded to that residence “numerous times in the past in reference to Mr. Furia and his ex-girlfriend,” Palazzo wrote.

While at the house, Palazzo said he saw Furia's car stop at a nearby intersection and could identify Furia driving the car.

Palazzo reported that he returned to his cruiser and attempted to follow Furia on Brown Avenue, but that Furia sped off at 50 to 60 mph in the 25-mph zone.

After a chase on Brown Avenue, Palazzo reported that he stopped the pursuit once Furia reached Greenville Avenue.

At about 6:30 a.m. Palazzo and several other officers returned to the area after the Indian Trail Drive resident called dispatch and said Furia had been driving by the home again.

Palazzo again attempted to pull over Furia's car, and when two other officers tried to stop him, Palazzo reported that Furia tried to ram his car into a police cruiser driven in the opposite direction.

Ptlm. Mario Mennella turned out of the way of Furia's oncoming car and avoided the collision, according to police reports.

Another officer, Ptlm. Philip Viens, drove his car in front of Furia's in another attempt to get him to stop. Viens reported that Furia drove around him and continued through the red light at Brown and Hartford Avenues.

Viens also tried to chase Furia, but ended the pursuit after Furia exceeded 55 mph in the 35-mph zone and continued to speed away.

Later that morning, at 11:30 am, Det. James Brady and Viens went to Furia's house, and saw Furia leave his apartment with another male.

As the officers approached, Brady reported, Furia began crying and said: “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do anything.”

After officers placed him under arrest he stated, “I [expletive] up. I can’t afford all these charges against me. I’m on probation,” according to Brady’s report.

Following his arraignment at Johnston Police Headquarters, Furia was ordered held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston.

According to Sgt. Joseph Salvadore's report, Furia then became disrespectful and confrontational, and attempted to run towards Atwood Avenue when officers brought him outside the police station.

The officers gained control of him, and Furia stated it would take “ a lot more than that” to get him in the cruiser because he was not going to go to the ACI, according to police reports.

After officers were able to restrain him and place him in the back of Palazzo’s cruiser, Furia kicked the rear windows and struck his head against the plexiglass partition, creating a small cut on his forehead, according to Palazzo’s report.

Staffers at the ACI refused accept Furia at the intake center because of the injury, and requested that he be transported to the hospital. Furia was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment and was later returned to the ACI.

Furia appeared for formal arraignment on Apr. 16 in Third District Court, Warwick, on the new charges. He was unable to post bail, and was ordered held at the ACI until a court appearance on Apr. 26 for one count of domestic disorderly conduct stemming from charges brought by Smithfield Police.