Bryton Turner/Facebook
FALMOUTH – Falmouth Police are charging an East Falmouth woman with allegedly attacking a man who was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.
According to court documents, Rosaine Santos, 41, is accused of first verbally assaulting the man, then hitting him on the head.
The MAGA hats are commonly associated with President Donald Trump.
The alleged incident happened inside the Casa Vallarta Mexican restaurant last Friday night.
The police report filed in Falmouth District Court indicates that when officers asked why she was bothering the man, she said he should not be allowed to eat in a Mexican restaurant.
“I asked Rosaine why she was behaving badly in the manner and she stated that Bryton was a (expletive) for supporting Trump. She also stated that he shouldn’t be allowed in a Mexican restaurant with that hat,” according the report filed by Falmouth Police Officer Newton Cardoso.
The alleged victim, Bryton Turner, posted a video of the incident on his Facebook page.
The video shows Santos yelling at Turner and grabbing and pulling his hat off.
(VIEWER DISCRETION: Language in video may be offensive to some viewers)
During the video, Turner is speaking into the camera, saying, “This is the problem – ignorant people like this. I’m just trying to sit here and eat a nice meal,” while Santos continues to take his hat.
“You see this? People like that, that’s the problem. That’s the problem with America these days. People this ignorant, who want to lash out on people who are educated,” Turner continued.
In a second video, Turner filmed Santos being questioned by officers and later arrested by officers for trying to steal his hat yet again while being escorted out of the restaurant by four police officers.
“Rosie is not doing to hot right now, I don’t know what happened. She just tried to grab my hat in front of four officers, that’s smart. There she is getting cuffed. Have a nice time in the cell Rosie!”
Santos was released on personal recognizance on disorderly conduct and assault and battery charges and will return to court on March 20.
She was also put into protective custody after allegedly showing signs of intoxication.
According to the police report, Santos first knocked the hat off the man’s head, then struck him in the head when officers were walking her out of the building.
In his report, Officer Cardoso said Santos’ eyes were bloodshot and glassy and her speech was slurred.
“While speaking with Rosaine I detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage,” the officer wrote.
The report also said officers had a difficult time getting her into the cruiser.
Police said her behavior continued during the booking process.
“She kept yelling profanities at me giving me the middle finger. Officer Elvira Ferrer was able to calm her down and finish booking,” according to the police report.
Earlier this week in Falmouth, a Mashpee plow driver was charged with allegedly spraying anti-Trump protestors with snow and water on the Falmouth Village Green.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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