Police: Man attacks several women on Blackstone River Bikeway in Lincoln
By: Alana Cerrone
Email: news@abc6.com
Twitter: @Alana_Cerrone
LINCOLN, R.I. (WLNE) – The Blackstone River Bikeway was the scene of multiple alleged attacks over the holiday weekend, authorities say.
The man who police say is behind all of them has been identified as 29-year-old Emmanuel Bonilla.
It began Saturday; a woman on the bike path says Bonilla drove by her with his pants down, masturbating.
The next morning another woman reported the same thing. But that’s not all.
A 31-year-old woman walking back to her car says she was hit in the head, knocked to the ground, and accosted by Bonilla.
He slammed her head into the gravel stole her phone and took off. The charge is not Bonilla’s first.
Over the past two years the Central Falls man has been nabbed for indecent exposure and disorderly conduct three times.
His latest alleged attacks hit home for people like Kristen Fulton.
She runs on the path several times a week by herself and admits she’s thought about what she would do if she was ever attacked.
"What if somebody were to come out and attack me would I fight. It’s scary to think you could succumb to someone’s force while you’re on the bike path," said Kristen.
She used to carry pepper spray and says she might have to start doing so again.
"To take precautionary measures I’m certainly gonna think twice now," added Kristen.
Bonilla was held without bail as a violator.
Meanwhile police are asking anyone else that may have been a victim to come forward and report the incident.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Lincoln Police Department at: 401-333-1111.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017
