WORCESTER
Dentist charged with indecent assault
A Worcester dentist pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he groped a patient during a procedure, authorities said. Dr. Nikhil Patel, 54, of Shrewsbury, is facing one charge of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, a spokesman for the Worcester district attorney’s office said. He was arrested Monday in his Lincoln Street office. The victim, a 35-year-old woman, had a Monday morning appointment with Patel, who said she had been his patient for a long time. She left the dentist’s chair in the middle of a procedure after she said he inappropriately touched her several times, and reported the incident to Worcester police.
EAST BRIDGEWATER
Police seek car in alleged bike hit-run
East Bridgewater police are asking for the public’s help to find a car that struck a bicyclist Monday night on Washington Street and then drove away. The bicyclist, a 17-year-old East Bridgewater resident, was traveling against traffic at about 7:30 p.m. when the side mirror of a black, two-door convertible clipped him, East Bridgewater police said. The driver allegedly continued north on Washington Street after the incident, police said. The bicyclist was taken to Brockton Hospital with minor injuries, according to police.
ATTLEBORO
State Police arrest fugitive sex offender
A fugitive sex offender was arrested Tuesday morning at an apartment on Falmouth Street in Attleboro, State Police said. Caled Donatiu, 32, of Everett, was classified as a Level Three sex offender based on his 2008 conviction of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in Salem, State Police said in a statement. Donatiu and an accomplice followed an 11-year-old girl for several blocks before forcing her into an alley and assaulting her, authorities said. Donatiu was wanted for failing to register as a sex offender and for failing to provide a DNA sample to law enforcement, according to State Police.
PETERBOROUGH, N.H.
Teenager dies after rodeo event
Residents of several New Hampshire communities are mourning the death of an 18-year-old who was about to join a local fire department. Hundreds of people lined the street in front of ConVal Regional High School in Peterborough on Tuesday to pay tribute to Cole Wohle, who died Saturday after riding a horse in a rodeo in Castleton, Vt. He suffered an unknown medical emergency. Wohle, who was from Francestown, was a member of the Francestown Fire Department’s Explorer Program, which his younger brother also joined. His father is a firefighter, and he planned to follow in his footsteps. (AP)
FRAMINGHAM
Framingham State to open new dorm
With the fall semester rapidly approaching, Framingham State University is preparing for the opening of its new $35.1 million dormitory later this month. West Hall, conceived as a replacement for the newly repurposed O’Connor Hall, is the second large dormitory built by the university within the last five years, The MetroWest Daily News reported. The 316-bed residence will offer more modern amenities that the school’s older halls are lacking, officials said. (AP)
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I.
Female police officer claims gender bias
The highest ranking female officer in the history of the North Providence Police Department has filed a complaint alleging that she was subjected to abusive comments by superiors. Lieutenant Diana Perez filed a petition with the state Human Rights Commission last month that also states she routinely experienced discrimination based on her gender. Among her claims, Perez recalls an embarrassing moment when Acting Chief Christopher Pelagio allegedly quoted Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1992 hit ‘‘Baby Got Back’’ in reference to her backside. When confronted later, Perez said Pelagio told her she was no longer part of the ‘‘inner circle.’’ (AP)
