Cynthia Jones,45, of Warwick, allegedly broke into the South Main Street building at about 1:53 a.m. Monday because she wished to speak with Attorney General Peter Kilmartin about “several personal problems,” police said during her arraignment.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A 45-year-old Providence public school teacher faces charges after she allegedly broke into the building housing the Office of the Attorney General early Monday morning, police said.

Cynthia Jones, of Warwick, pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering, during her arraignment in District Court. She was held on $25,000 surety bail.

The School Department said Monday evening that Jones had been placed on paid administrative leave. The department did not say where she taught.

Jones allegedly broke into the South Main Street building at about 1:53 a.m. because she wished to speak with Attorney General Peter Kilmartin about “several personal problems,” police said during her arraignment.

When officers arrived, they found the bottom glass pane on the building's door had been “smashed in,” according to a police report provided by Maj. Thomas Verdi.

Jones was carrying a snow scraper during the break-in, according to the police report. Police initially received a call that a person breaking into the office was armed with a machete, but she was not.

Police entered the building and found Jones walking around the main waiting area, according to the report.

Officers arrested Jones shortly after, without incident.

In court Monday, Jones shouted, requesting to speak with a lawyer, as she entered the room. A public defender was appointed.

“Preferably, I would’ve liked to have been able to have my choice of attorney,” Jones said. “But thank you for this.”

Jones was ordered to stay away from the South Main Street building. A prosecutor from the attorney general's office requested Jones be ordered to have no direct contact with Kilmartin, but that request was denied.

Jones, a Rhode Island resident since 1989, has no prior arrests, court records show. Police said she contacted the Warwick police three times on Sunday, but it was not clear what the calls were in reference to.

A fire alarm was triggered during the break-in. Providence firefighters arrived and reset the alarm.

A judge ordered Jones to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Jones is to return to court for a competency hearing on Feb. 8.

jtempera@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7121

On Twitter: @jacktemp