Local man charged with ‘brutal’ domestic assault

BURRILLVILLE – A local man was arrested on felony domestic assault charges Sunday after a 28-year-old woman was hospitalized with serious injuries in what police called “a brutal beating.”

Stephen J. Morin, 35, of 138 Sayles Ave., was ordered held at the Adult Correctional Institutions as a bail violator following a preliminary appearance Monday in Sixth District Court, Providence. He was on a bail from do- mestic assault charges lodged against him by the North Smithfield police in June, according to the judiciary’s web site.

He faces new charges of domestic assault by strangulation, domestic felony assault, domestic disorderly conduct and violation of a no contact order.

Police were en route to a report of a disturbance at the Sayles Avenue apartment about 9 Sunday night when they discovered the victim

at the nearby Brigido’s IGA, according to Burrillville Police Chief Stephen Lynch. The woman had a laceration on her face, bruises on her throat and other contusions, Lynch said.

“It was a brutal beating,” said

Lynch. “She was half in and out of consciousness at that time.”

Based on information provided by the victim, police feared Morin might be in possession of firearms. Accompanied by members of the Rhode Island State Police, they set up a perimeter around the Sayles Avenue apartment and eventually forced their way in.

The apartment was empty and

no weapons were recovered. A few minutes later, police found Morin hiding inside George’s Pizza, about a half-mile away. He was apprehended without further incident.

“I think he was hiding in plain sight, trying to assimilate into the crowd,” said Lynch.

The victim, meanwhile, was transported by rescue to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was admit-

ted as a patient. Lynch said he expected the hospital to discharge the woman yesterday.

“I’m glad she’s going to be okay,” the chief said. “It was a nasty assault.”

While Morin was violated on just one open domestic violence case out of North Smithfield, court records show he has three open domestic violence cases – not included the new allegations – dating back to June, including two originating in Woonsocket. Since 2015, Morin has been charged at least half a dozen times for domestic assault and related charges, according to the judiciary’s web site.