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Gang Connection Investigated
Violent Rivalry May Have Been Factor In Birthday Party Melee
October 25, 2005
By DAN UHLINGER, Courant Staff Writer EAST HARTFORD -- Police are investigating whether the bloody melee that erupted at a 1-year-old's birthday party over the weekend was fueled by a violent rivalry between two Central America gangs that has claimed dozens of lives.

As seven of those arrested posted bail, police released new details Monday of the brawl involving 50 adults at the Crosby Street multi-family house.

Witnesses told police that individuals involved in the chaos that spilled out into the street early Sunday were members of MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) and its rival, MS-18. One of the nation's most dangerous gangs, MS-13 has its origins in El Salvador. The gang took root in Southern California in the 1980s and has since spread throughout the country.

"We're looking into the possibility that it was related to a gang," Officer Hugo Benettieri, spokesman for East Hartford police said.

Police said the fight broke out shortly after midnight Saturday and when officers arrived several victims were bleeding and screaming hysterically outside the residence at 28 Crosby St. About a half-dozen people were stabbed or hit by beer bottles in the fight and were treated later for non-life threatening injuries.

Police said the birthday party erupted in violence when a first-floor resident went upstairs to the party to complain about noise.

MS-13 and MS-18, a Central American-based faction of the more well-known gang, are known for smuggling drugs and immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. In the latest violence between them, gang members in August attacked rivals with grenades at a Guatemalan youth detention center.

Last week, three suspected MS-13 gang members were arrested in Vienna, Va., after police tracked their activity between Los Angeles, Massachusetts and Virginia for five months. One of the men is wanted for an MS-13-related slaying in Massachusetts. All three are illegal aliens from El Salvador.

Kevin J. O'Connor, U.S. attorney for Connecticut, said there have been no documented reports of MS-13 or its factions in the state, but its presence has been found in Rhode Island.

"We haven't seen any real visible signs here, but if they're in Rhode Island, it shouldn't surprise anyone that they can be found in Connecticut.

"MS-13 is one of the most active and violent gangs in the country," he said.

O'Connor said a federal task force involving law enforcement authorities in the state was organized earlier this year to combat gangs.

Windows were broken out of the bloodied upstairs apartment on Crosby Street where the party and fight occurred, and where authorities said 12 adults and eight children lived. Town officials were investigating whether local ordinances regulating the number of house occupants had been violated.

Police said one woman approached them and was hysterical, yelling that her 1-year-old baby whose birthday was being celebrated was inside. Police rescued the baby and found a knife near its birthday cake.

The woman pointed to several alleged assailants and said they were members of MS-18.

Two brothers, Erick Romero, 20, and Nelson Romero, 27, both of 699 Tolland St., were arrested on second-degree assault, risk of injury, reckless endangerment and breach of peace charges. They will be arraigned Nov. 9 in Superior Court in Manchester. The men are accused of stabbing another man.

Police searching the house also found three children hidden in the attic. The children were unharmed.

"They were shaking and crying," police said.

Several other children were found unharmed in bedrooms.

Police later questioned Nelson Romero, who said he was hit in the head with a bottle several times by several people. Romero identified Marlon Herrera, 22, of 30 Crosby St., as one of his attackers. Herrara was charged with resisting arrest and breach of peace. Romero identified Herrera is a member of MS-13. When questioned about his own alleged gang affiliation, Romero "smiled and shook his head no," police said.

Also arrested were Moises Morales, 24, of 47 Church St., charged with inciting to riot and breach of peace; Wilfredo Morales, 21, of 55 Church St., charged with inciting to riot and breach of peace; Juan Zelaya, 19, of 28 Highland St., charged with breach of peace; Ricardo Rodriguez, 23, of 30 Crosby St., charged with breach of peace. All are scheduled for arraignment Nov. 9.