Natick Man Arrested, Charged When Trump Rally Turns Tense: Police

NATICK, MA — A 25-year-old Natick man was arrested and charged with assault and malicious destruction of property during a rally when supporters of President Donald Trump clashed with counterprotesters on the Town Common Saturday afternoon.

David Hepp was arrested at 2:40 p.m. Saturday. Police said Hepp crossed the street to where Trump supporters were rallying and took a person’s phone and threw it to the ground, a Natick police spokeswoman said Monday.

Police told The Metrowest Daily News Sunday that Hepp was arrested after authorities received multiple reports of Hepp being pepper-sprayed by someone at the rally. According to reports, Trump supporters were gathering on the Town Common, with counterprotesters in front of a church across the street.

Reports said that groups displayed signs supporting Trump as well as others supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, with some levels of engagement between the two sides. Lt. Cara Rossi said in a statement that officers and supervisors took "appropriate action" to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike.

“We will not condone, nor tolerate, unlawful actions or disturbances by anyone that affect the ability for all to enjoy our incredible Natick community,” Rossi told The Daily News on Sunday.