A 19-year-old man filmed himself shouting vulgarities at Providence police officers, deciding to post it on Facebook afterwards with added comments about violence and guns. Police arrested him shortly afterward on a felony charge of threatening public officials.
According to the Providence Journal, Natan Santo posted the video Friday morning. It went viral, reaching over 56,000 views. Other people pitched in their own comments, some criticizing police and their actions.
Santos wrote additional comments on Facebook, stating, “Who wants to start the RHODE ISLAND RIOT? Im gonna go savage today! … im tired of this Abuse.”
These comments and several similar, as well as pictures of him holding a shotgun, are what led police to find, arrest and charge Santos with a felony on Sunday.
“We have interactions with the community all the time,” said Maj. David Lapatin. “His conduct was outrageous, and we cannot afford to let it go. Afterward, he realized what he did was extreme, but we can’t take a chance like that.”
Police received a call from a Shell gas station clerk around 9 a.m. on Friday because Santos and his friend, Christopher Carvalho, would not leave. When officers responded, they told the two men they had to leave or could be arrested.
It was at this time Santos and Carvalho took out their cell phones and began filming the officers, all the while yelling obscenities at them. Shortly after they left without being arrested, the video was on Facebook with the comment, “Cops is straight [expletive] in providence. Trying to lock me and Obey Effia up! We know our rights! They tried to illegally search us and flash there [sic] guns! Don’t let cops abuse their power just cause they go a badge.”
The officers are seen in the footage standing calmly, not saying much of anything to Santos as the two men screamed at them and called them names.
The Providence Journal reported that Saturday morning, Santos wrote, “Riding around the city gonna put in some work today” — emoji of a handgun – “Looking for the right cause. I dont care if i go to jail, but im starting havoc in this city! Theres blind authorities that need to open their eyes!”
The comments caught the attention of police officers as far away as Alaska.
Officer Matthew McGloin, a member of the gun task force, took screenshots of the Facebook page comments and photos. Using these and other resources, the police were able to determine that Santos lived with his family in Wiggin Village.
A warrant was issued Sunday morning and a state trooper arrested Santos by that afternoon.
Can’t do what?