NEW: Former Providence DPW Worker Takes Ax to City Vehicles, Charged With Malicious Damage

NEW: Former Providence DPW Worker Takes Ax to City Vehicles, Charged With Malicious Damage

A former City of Providence Department of Works employee took an ax to city vehicles on Thursday -- and was charged with malicious damage.

Ray Fratus was arrested and charged on Friday.  

Police: Employee Had "History of Issues" 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

The Providence Police released the following report about the incident. 

"On Thursday, August 13, 2020 at approximately 1401 Hrs Police responded to the Providence City Department of Public Works located at 30 Ernest Street for the report of a disturbance. 

Upon arrival Police met with several City DPW employees, specifically one identified as Steven Dutra (DOB 01/77) who stated that a former employee, identified as Ray Fratus Jr. (unk DOB), who had recently quit, had come to the facility located at 30 Ernest Street wielding an axe and began smashing vehicle windows. 

Fratus first took the axe and shattered both front and rear drivers side windows of a vehicle bearing RI REG 128. A witness stated Fratus then drove off and proceeded to shatter the passenger side window and windshield of a City pickup truck bearing RI CITY REG 222 which belonged to Fratus’ former supervisor, identified as Steven Dutra from the DPW HQ down the street from 30 Ernest Street. 

Dutra stated that Fratus had a history of “issues” while working at DPW and when Dutra went to confront Fratus he fled in a beige Toyota bearing RI Antique Plates. Aside from being in possession of an Axe DPW employees stated that Fratus was known to possess firearms.  Police notified dispatch of the subject description and possible direction for officer safety."

Fratus Jr. was charged with two counts of malicious damage.