By Tiffany Williams –
Providence, R.I. — What started as a minor fender-bender on a busy city street spiraled into a roadside confrontation that now has a Rhode Island man facing a felony charge after police say he threatened Providence’s top cop in broad daylight.
Authorities say 31-year-old Jonathan Galdamez is charged with threatening a public official and disorderly conduct following an explosive encounter with Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez after a rear-end crash Friday afternoon.
Police say the incident unfolded just after 1 p.m. on Broadway when Perez, driving an unmarked police vehicle, stopped for a pedestrian. That’s when a white Nissan Altima slammed into the back of the chief’s car.
But the crash itself wasn’t the real problem.
According to investigators, Galdamez jumped out of the Altima and stormed toward the police vehicle “with an aggressive gait.”
Video of the confrontation, which quickly spread across social media, shows the tense roadside exchange. Perez, wearing his uniform, immediately identifies himself as a police officer while attempting to keep the situation under control.
Instead, police say the encounter escalated.
Galdamez allegedly confronted the chief, pointing his finger directly at Perez’s face while shouting and swearing.
“After having clearly identified himself both visually and verbally as a member of Law Enforcement; Colonel Perez now attempted to deescalate the hostility that Galdamez was displaying. As Colonel Perez attempted to calm Galdamez by telling him the motor vehicle accident was not a big deal, Galdamez continued to act in an irate manner in the roadway, causing a complete obstruction to all oncoming traffic,” the report said.
The confrontation unfolded in the middle of a roadway, with traffic backing up as the argument continued.
Police say the chief attempted to calm the man and keep the situation from spiraling further out of control. But investigators say Galdamez continued shouting, gesturing aggressively and making threats.
Video from the scene shows Galdamez pointing toward the chief’s head multiple times while arguing.
Moments later, Perez is seen speaking into his police radio while directing Galdamez to move toward another vehicle. The man places his hands over his head as additional Providence police cruisers rush to the scene.
Officers quickly moved in and placed Galdamez in handcuffs.
But investigators say the verbal barrage didn’t stop there.
“It should be noted that Galdamez continued to berate the Officers during the handcuffing process, with loud and obnoxious screaming that would disturb a person of average sensibilities,” the report said.
Even after being taken into custody, police say Galdamez continued threatening the police chief.
According to the police report, once detained he admitted he recognized Perez and blamed him for previous parole denials.
The report states Galdamez “began to make specific threats toward Colonel Perez and his family.”
Police say Galdamez told officers his anger was fueled by the belief that Perez had denied him parole three separate times.
The situation highlights how quickly a routine traffic incident can explode into a criminal case when emotions override common sense.
What should have been a simple accident report turned into a felony charge in the middle of a city street — with the target of the alleged threats being the city’s police chief himself.
Providence police confirmed to NewsTalk New England that Galdamez now faces a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge and a felony charge of threatening a public official.