Florida Man Charged In East Greenwich Road Rage Incident

EAST GREENWICH, RI — Rhode Island State Police said a Florida man is facing weapons, motor vehicle and drug charges after a suspected road rage incident on Route 4 in East Greenwich Sunday night.

Police said they were called to the area of Division Road for a report that a driver had brandished a gun and a baton at another driver about 10 p.m. Sunday. Troopers located Joseph Francis, 34, of Pompano Beach, Fla., and seized a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver, ammunition as well as suspected cocaine and ammunition. Police said he was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Francis was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of using a firearm to commit a crime, carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a weapon while under the influence of liquor and/or drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol, refusal to submit to a chemical test, disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana.

Francis was held pending arraignment in the Third Division Court on Warwick on Monday.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Information for this article was supplied by the Rhode Island State Police Department. Patch follows a name removal policy for those listed in its published police reports.