North Providence youth basketball game leads to fight, arrests
NORTH PROVIDENCE (WJAR) — North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero said three men were arrested on Saturday after a fight at a youth basketball game.
The incident took place at Birchwood Middle School on Saturday morning.
Chief Ruggiero said the two coaches got into a dispute over a call; it turned physical and a parent tried to intervene, eventually getting involved in the fight.
The three men, Gregory Adams, John Angell and Patrick Marchand, were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
“Mind you this basketball game was between 5 and 7 year olds," said Ruggiero. "To set the example for the youth, we need to do better I feel. We just want to let people know there are consequences for their actions and in this case three parties were arrested.”
According to Chief Ruggiero none of the three men involved wanted to press charges against the others, but police charged each with disorderly conduct. The town is also issuing a no trespass order, which means they won't be able to attend North Providence school sporting events.
In the words of Chief Ruggiero, "“We need to do better for the children, it's about them not us."