College student wearing SWAT costume arrested after choking police officer, assaulting students

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Johnson & Wales student was arrested early Saturday after trying to choke a Providence police officer.

Police said that just before 2 a.m. Saturday, an officer found a group of 10 to 15 college students fighting on the porch of a Pembroke Avenue home.

While the officer was trying to disperse the crowd and the fight, a man — identified as 21-year-old Cole DiRico — attacked the officer and brought them both to the ground. He then allegedly attempted to choke the officer.

DiRico was dressed in a “SWAT” Halloween costume at the time of the assault, added police.

Witnesses on scene told police that DiRico was not let into a Halloween party and then started to assault several partygoers, who police said all wanted to press charges.

One victim was a female college student.

DiRico was arrested and faces several assault charges, including assault on a police officer and obstruction of an officer in execution of duty.

Police said two other men, identified as 21-year-old Jean Maruri and 22-year-old Jonathan Hernandez, were also arrested. Both men face disorderly conduct and obstruction charges.