Portsmouth Police booking photo of Luis Viruet of Newport, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a man in Portsmouth on Saturday, June 29.

PORTSMOUTH — A Newport man was charged with assault at a Portsmouth home after he was seen throwing a hammer away on Saturday, June 29, according to police.

At about 11:15 a.m., Portsmouth Police received information from the Middletown Police, who had detained a man identified as Luis Viruet of Newport, according to Portsmouth Detective Lt. John Cahoon.

“Viruet was observed discarding a hammer into a trash can at a Dunkin’ Donuts on East Main Road,” Lt. Cahoon stated in a press release.

Middletown Police reported that according to witnesses, Mr. Viruet had been dropped off at the doughnut shop by a person driving a black-colored vehicle. The vehicle then left the area and was seen traveling toward Portsmouth, police said.

Middletown Police provided a description of the vehicle, which was stopped in Portsmouth a short time later, Lt. Cahoon said. A 28-year-old female was driving the vehicle, and a 32-year-old male passenger was bleeding from a serious head wound, he said.

The injured man was transported by the Portsmouth Fire Department to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, he said.

A police investigation determined that the victim’s injuries were the result of an assault which occurred at a Portsmouth residence, Lt. Cahoon said. Mr. Viruet was subsequently taken into custody by Portsmouth and charged with assault with a deadly weapon in a dwelling. 

The female driver told police that before the assault, Mr. Viruet was acting in a violent manner and breaking items inside her home, police said. As a result, Mr. Viruet was also charged with domestic vandalism and domestic disorderly conduct.