PORTSMOUTH — A 33-year-old Fall River man assaulted a police officer after crashing his vehicle on West Main Road at the Route 24 North on-ramp early Saturday morning, according to police.

Officers responded to the area at about 12:35 a.m. on March 4 and located a vehicle that had crashed off the roadway, police said.

Eric J. Rocha, of 1030 County St., Apt. 3, Fall River, was inside the vehicle and was combative toward officers, according to police. 

Rocha struck one of the officers in the face and resisted arrest, police said. After a short struggle, officers were able to place him under arrest, according to police.

Rocha displayed signs of intoxication and was transported to Newport Hospital, where he continued to be combative to toward and hospital staff and officers, police said. He refused to submit to a chemical test of blood, for which he was cited.

Rocha was issued a 2nd District Court summons for the following charges and was released to the care of Newport Hospital:

• Driving under the influence (DUI), first offense

• Simple assault or battery

• Resisting arrest

• Obstructing officer in execution of duty

• Disorderly conduct

Here are some more recent highlights from the Portsmouth Police report:

Monday, Feb. 27

Alonzoe Marquise Butler, 33, of 44 Humboldt Ave., Apt. 2, Pawtucket, was arrested on an affidavit warrant issued by the Providence Police Department following a motor vehicle stop at Portsmouth Publick House on West Main Road at about 6:45 p.m. Butler was processed at the police station and secured in a cell before a Providence police officer came to take custody of him.

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Norah H. Pursell, 52, of 109 Church St., Newport, was charged with DUI, first offense, after her Toyota SUV was found at a complete stop and halfway onto East Main Road around 2:45 a.m., according to police. Pursell was not fully conscious and showed signs of impairment, police said. She was the sole occupant of the vehicle, which officers noticed had sustained front-end damage, according to police. Pursell was unable to explain how the damage had occurred, police said. Pursell, who was held overnight pending her morning arraignment at 2nd District Court, was also cited for refusing to submit to a chemical test, police said.

Thursday, March 2

Kevin Bruce Arnold, 45, of 518 Turnpike Ave., was arrested on a Superior Court full bench warrant after officers with knowledge of the warrant came across him walking in the roadway in the area of Sprague Street at Bridgeview Way around 7:50 p.m., police said. He was transported to the Anthony P. Travisono Intake Service Center in Cranston at 9:30 p.m., police said.

Saturday, March 4

Samuel Perez, 51, of Portsmouth, was charged with reckless driving at about 8 p.m. Officers pulled Perez over on East Main Road at Union Street after observing his vehicle being operated recklessly at a high rate of speed, according to police.