Newport Man Charged With Swinging Machete During East Greenwich Road Rage Incident: Cops

EAST GREENWICH, RI — A Newport man was charged with swinging a machete during a road rage incident in East Greenwich, police said.

Shane Wyre, 36, explained to an officer he uses the machete for landscaping, according to a police report.

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Police seized the machete and arrested Wyre shortly after 8:30 p.m. May 12 on charges of felony assault and/or battery, domestic violence — criminal violation of a no-contact order, vandalism, disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer in the execution of duty.

Wyre told an officer the of another driver kept "hitting the gas" and "cutting them off" as the car he was riding in was merging onto Route 4, the report said.

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"Wyre stated that he 'Got out the car' where the cones were located at the beginning of the lane closure," according to the report.

Wyre said he approached the driver's side of (the other)
car and 'Swung at him,'" the report said.

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An officer asked "what he swung at him with and Wyre replied, 'My machete,'" according to the report.

"Wyre admitted to swinging the machete in his direction, but
he denied making contact with him or his vehicle," the report said.

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An officer noticed damage in the area of the driver's side window of the other car, however, and swelling to the elbow of the man claiming to have been struck, according to the report.

Wyre told an officer the other man did not exit his vehicle but was "being an (expletive) in his car," the report said.

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