By JON BAKER

LINCOLN — An apparent road rage incident on Twin River Road early Monday night led to the arrest two area men on charges of felony assault/using a device similar to a firearm — a BB gun.

Those taken into custody at 8:50 p.m. included Tamer Attalla, 18, of 17 Wright St., North Providence, and Frank King, 20, of 10 Holiday Drive, Lincoln.
According to Police Chief Brian Sullivan, the incident began on Twin River Road as the suspects followed a car with a pair of men inside, both 18 and hailing from North Providence.
“Evidently, one vehicle was following the other too closely, and the one in front kept tapping the brake lights, probably to tease the ones behind,” Sullivan stated, adding that one suspect — operating a white Oldsmobile — had been flashing his headlights. “The one in front later pulled off to the side of the roadway, and the passenger got out and yelled at King and Attalla.
“At that point, Attalla allegedly pointed what one of the victims believed to be a handgun at them,” he continued. “(Attalla) also stated, ‘Do you have a problem?’ and the two men said ‘No.’”
As the Oldsmobile sped off, the victims then followed the suspects’ car (King apparently the operator) long enough to gain the registration plate number and contacted police.
Several officers — including Patrolmen Clifford Landry, Walter Ptaszek, Christopher
See FELONY, Page A-2
Nightingale and Richard Bousquet — reported to MacColl Field YMCA to speak with the victims, who stated they had been en route to play in a softball game.
“(One) said he recognized the male passenger (Attalla), who was pointing the gun, from high school, and he stated his name was Tamer,” Landry wrote in his report.
In the interim, Lt. William Sexton gleaned information on the car and its license-plate number, and tracked it back to a residence at 10 Holiday Drive.
At that address, Sexton and Nightingale spoke with the suspects and checked them for weapons on their persons. When none were found, Nightingale asked King if he could peruse his vehicle, and discovered a black Airsoft handgun in the trunk. That’s when the tandem was arrested.
Police transported both to headquarters for processing, and they were arraigned by Justice of the Peace Richard Finnegan at about 11:30 p.m. Shortly thereafter, they were released on $5,000 personal recognizance.
“It is, in fact, a BB gun, but it looks like a semi-automatic pistol,” Sullivan said. “No wonder why those kids were afraid. Whether it’s a BB gun or not, this is a very serious offense, and it is a felony. Both parties were charged with assault and battery by use of a device similar in appearance to a firearm.”
Sullivan also indicated, because no bodily injury had occurred, the ultimate penalty for such use could be up to three years in prison.