UPDATED: No bail for man who harassed handicapped woman

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

CRANSTON, R.I. – A man is being held without bail for assaulting a handicapped woman in a wheelchair at a bus stop 2 times within 24 hours.

Authorities say 55-year-old Emile Perrault approached the victim on Tuesday afternoon, just before 4 p.m. and then on Wednesday at 6:19 pm.

Officers received information that Perrault was yelling vulgarities and swearing at the same victim, referencing the assault that he was charged with and released on personal recognizance a day earlier.

When approached by police on Tuesday, Perrault told an officer he was a skilled martial artist and threatened the officer with a round house kick and said he could also knock the officer’s head off.

He put up a brief struggle with police, but was ultimately arrested.

According to Police Perrault is now facing five charges: felony assault on persons with severe impairments, resisting legal or illegal arrest – misdemeanor, 2 counts of disorderly conduct – misdemeanor,  and intimidation of a witness/victim of crime.

“Violence against a person with disabilities is a serious crime and it deserves special attention due to the lack of protection and inability a person has as a result of their impairment to protect one-self against an assault,” said Major Todd Patalano.

Perrault was arraigned at Cranston Police Headquarters by a Justice of the Peace on September 20th and released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Cranston police will be asking for a mental health assessment for Perrault.

He’s expected in court again next month.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016