100 Person Brawl in Worcester Leads to Two Arrested & Multiple Injuries

Tuesday, August 02, 2016

GoLocalWorcester News Team

For the second night in a row massive crowds turned violent and the result was massive injuries. An estimated 100 people were involved in a near riot outside the Mambo Lounge on Water Street.

On Saturday, 20 people attacked and stabbed a man.

According to Worcester Police, Jonah Pichardo, 31, of the Bronx, New York and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested while several others were injured during a brawl near the Mambo Lounge.

Investigators have interviewed most of the victims but have received little to no cooperation with regard to suspect information.

The Incident

Worcester Police responded to the area of Harrison and Water Streets for a report of a large crowd fighting. First arriving officers observed approximately 100 plus people fighting in the streets. Officers saw men with bats, bottles and knives fighting and officers exiting their cruisers had bottles thrown at them. Due to the large crowd and the violence taking place officers called for additional help. The crowd was ignoring the officer’s orders to disperse. Officers deployed pepper spray but had no result. Given the extreme volatility of the incident officials in charge called for all available police officers city wide to respond to the area.

Officers believe that the large crowd had come from the Mambo Lounge located at 105 Water Street. A comedian from New York City had performed there last night with a large contingent from New York followed him to the lounge to see the performance. The fight involved many of the patrons from New York and several local gang members.

Officers at the scene observed a man hitting another male over the head with a baseball bat. Officers closed in on the man in an attempt to arrest him. The crowd surrounded the officers and pushed them away from the suspect. The suspect was able to break free and started to run away. Several officers gave chase. The crowd continued to impede. The man was eventually apprehended. He violently resisted and attempted to spit at the officers but his face was held away. He was eventually taken to the ground. The man then attempted to kick the officers but one officer was able to hold his ankles down. The male was identified as Jonah Pichardo, 31, of 2232 Homer Avenue, Bronx, NY. Pichardo was charged with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and Resisting Arrest. The victim’s condition is unknown as he left the scene prior to being interviewed by police.

Officers also saw a 17-year-old Juvenile punch an unknown man in the face. The juvenile, a known local gang member, was placed under arrest and charged with Disorderly Conduct. The man that was punched left the scene prior to being interviewed by police.

At approximately 2:00 AM, police were informed that a 25-year-old man arrived at a nearby hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds; the man had non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released. The male is a known local gang member.

At approximately 2:20 AM, a 20-year-old man was dropped off at a nearby hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds; he had emergency surgery and is expected to survive.

A short time after a 21-year-old man, a known local gang member, was spotted at the scene suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers at the scene called for Worcester EMS and he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. His injuries are non-life threatening.

A 26-year-old man arrived at a nearby hospital suffering from a chest injury after being hit with a baseball bat. The male has non-life threatening injuries.

Officers at the scene saw the store front window smashed out at Wycked Java located at 108 Water Street. It was reported to officers that someone was pushed into the window during the fight.

Police Asking for Help

The investigation is ongoing.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD and your message or send an anonymous web based message by clicking here.