Cumberland PD: Man faces 17th town arrest after alleged threat to school worker

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WLNE) — Cumberland police arrested a 35-year-old Rhode Island man Monday after he allegedly threatened a town school staff member with a gun.

Frank Blazejewski was arrested by Cumberland police and will be charged with assault and disorderly conduct, according to Cumberland Police Department Chief Matthew J. Benson.

Blazejewski was also charged with threatening a public official for alleged violent threats made to Cumberland police at their headquarters, said Chief Benson.

The suspect did not have a firearm in his possession at the time of his arrest, according to Chief Benson.

The incident occurred at BF Norton Elementary School at 364 Broad Street, where officers responded Monday morning to a report of a threats complaint.

Arriving officers learned that a male subject made a violent threat to a school staff member “by way of a firearm” and the incident occurred during student drop-off, according to Chief Benson.

According to Chief Benson, several parents and other witnesses heard the alleged threat and immediately reported it to authorities.

Police identified Blazejewski as the suspect and he was immediately taken into custody, said Chief Benson.

The suspect does not have any children who attend BF Norton, and he was believed to just be passing by the building when the alleged threat was made.

Chief Benson also said it is not believed that the suspect knew the individual he is accused of threatening.

Also according to Chief Benson, this incident marks the 17th time that Blazejewski has been arrested by Cumberland PD, “among the more than 40 arrests he’s had in the State of Rhode Island since 2007.”

Blazejewski will be face arraignment later Monday at 6th District Court in Providence.