PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log over the past week.
Thursday, Aug. 1
James J. Cotta, 50, of 3 North Drive, was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon or substance. Police arrested Mr. Cotta at his home just before 8 a.m. on an active warrant issued following an incident July 17 at Sunny Acres on Bristol Ferry Road. Police said on that date, Mr. Cotta was driving on Bristol Ferry Road as another Portsmouth driver was exiting his driveway onto the road. There was a confrontation and after both vehicles had pulled into the Sunny Acres trail park, the other driver exited his vehicle and was struck in the legs by the Cotta vehicle, police said. The victim was pinned between his own car and Mr. Cotta’s, but suffered no serious injuries, police said.
Theodore B. Amado Jr., 47, of 41 Donna Drive, was charged on a bench warrant issued from Second District Court for failure to appear. Police made the arrest shortly before 4 p.m. at the Mobile Xtra Mart when they responded to a report of found property.
Friday, Aug. 2
Christopher D. Eberhard, 29, of 89 Gormley Ave., was charged on a bench warrant issued from Second District Court. Police arrested Mr. Eberhard at his neighbor’s house around 7:25 p.m.
Allison F. Lalli, 22, of 56 Lowell Drive, was charged with domestic assault and domestic disorderly conduct. Police arrested her at home around 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3
Erik P. Richter, 19, of 95 Willow Lane, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and reckless driving/drag racing/eluding a police officer. Police said the Toyota Celica he was driving was going 75 mph in a 45 mph zone on West Main Road near Turkey Hill around 4:30 a.m. Mr. Richter ran a red light at the Cory’s Lane intersection and continued speeding on Cory’s Lane, according to police. His car pulled into the entrance to the Portsmouth Abbey skating rink and became blocked near the administration building, police said. Police said Mr. Richter had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, and a small amount of marijuana and a bottle of liquor was found in the car.
Sunday, Aug. 4
A motor vehicle was found fully engulfed in flames behind 204 Middle Road just before 5 p.m. Lt. Steven Hoetzel responded and met with the vehicle’s owner, James. P. Merchant, who said he had returned home from work early that morning and that his vehicle had been parked unattended behind his residence the entire day. The cause of the fire is unknown.