An ongoing dispute between two food truck operators on Long Wharf Drive took a nasty turn on Sunday. One pulled a knife, the other pulled a gun, and three ended up in handcuffs, according to police.
Here’s what happened, according to a police report on the incident:
Police responded to a complaint of threatening at Long Wharf Drive at 9:48 a.m. on Sunday. They found a group of people around two food vendor trucks, called “La Pinchera” and “Lechonera La Unica.” Police quickly arrested three men. Two are brothers. One brother told police he had a gun and permit on him. Police removed a silver .38 caliber handgun from his waistband.
Police determined there has been an ongoing dispute between the operators of the two food trucks. One operator, Jose, told police that the other vendor, Carlos, has been threatening him because he wants to be the only “Spanish” vendor on Long Wharf. On Sunday, Carlos had approached him threatening to call the city health department on him. Carlos then pulled out a large kitchen knife, Jose told police.
Jose’s brother saw what was happening and came out of the truck with his gun. That sent Carlos running back to his truck.
Carlos told police that he did have a knife on him because he was cooking, but that he never pulled the knife out or threatened anyone with it.
Police arrested all three men.
Guns Seized
In other police news, according to police spokesman Officer Joe Avery:
Police seized three guns over the weekend. The first was at a traffic stop on Wolcott Street in Fair Haven. Officers Michael DeFonzo and Richard Gonzalez seized a HighPoint 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. They arrested one man on weapons charges and another on narcotics charges.
The second was at the corner of Dixwell Avenue and Munson Street. Police arrested a 29-year-old with a Ruger .38 caliber handgun.
The third gun arrest followed a report of a street robbery at Monroe and Clay Streets. The victim of the robbery told police the two men had approached him on Monroe Street. One pointed the revolver at him and the other started to swipe at his face with a razor. The victim suffered a minor injury. The muggers took his cell phone and ran.
Moments later, Officer Kergaravat saw two men behind the McDonald’s on Ferry Street who matched the description of the muggers. Officer Kergaravat, with backup from Officers Vale and Cotto, tased and arrested the men. Police recovered a Taurus .357 caliber revolver.
In other police news, according to Avery:
2 Pit Bulls Tased, Shot
Police killed one dog and Tased another on Friday.
At 12:41 a.m. on Friday, police responded to a report of shots fired at 88 Kensington St. They found a man and his unleashed pit bull in the rear yard of 99 Kensington St. As officers approached, the dog became aggressive and was restrained by the man. As officers were handcuffing him, police took the dog by the collar. He bit one cop, Officer Marshall, on the hand. Officers tried to Tase the dog but it fled and could not be found. Officer Marshall was treated at the Hospital of St. Raphael. The man was charged with criminal trespassing.
Later, at 2:49 a.m., police responded to a domestic complaint. Upon arrival at the house, the officers were spotted by a man on the porch, who fled inside. Police followed him inside and arrested him. During the pursuit, Officer A. Sinanis was attacked by a pit bull. Sinanis fired multiple shots at the dog, fatally wounding it.
The man on the porch was arrested on domestic charges. Police searched the home and issued narcotics charges. The police report did not make clear whom was charged.
Arrest Made In March Arson
A tenant of a five-story elderly housing complex was arrested on charges that she set the building on fire in March.
The Matthew R. Ruoppolo Elderly Housing complex at 480 Ferry St. was the site of a March 4 fire. Fire Marshall Joe Cappucci announced on Monday that a woman had been arrested for starting the fire. She is being charged with first-degree arson and reckless endangerment.
Crime Map
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NHPD
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