Middletown Police: Domestic Assault Over a Text, DUI

Driving Under the Influence

Benjamin Whalen, of 38 Bourne Ave., Tiverton was arrested on Friday morning at approximately 3:15 a.m. on a driving under the influence charge of .15 or greater.   Police first approached 29 year-old Whalen in a parked vehicle at 957 West Main Road.  After police did breathalyzer tests on both Whalen and his passenger, Whalen was told to find an alternative ride home. 

The responding officer then drove to a parking lot where he could see Whalen’s car.  The officer said 15 minutes later, Whalen pulled out and drove west on Access Hwy.

Police pulled over his vehicle, performed field the field sobriety tests and took him into custody.    Whalen agreed to chemical tests, which returned a blood alcohol reading of .184 and .178.

Domestic Assault

Darius Phillips, 28, of 42 West Main Road was arrested on Friday morning at approximately 3:34 a.m. on charges of domestic assault.  Phillip’s girlfriend reportedly called police after she said Phillips grabbed her and pushed her three times.

Phillips allegedly became angry with his girlfriend when he asked her who she had text messaged.  Police said when he asked her to leave the apartment, she refused because although she was not on the lease, it had been her primary residence for the past several months.

Police did not report any injuries.  Based on her statement, Police brought Phillips into custody and charged him with domestic assault.