New Bedford Police Make Multiple Arrests in South End Fight

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Eight people, including a juvenile, were placed under arrest following a disturbance and a stabbing in the Ruth Street neighborhood of New Bedford’s South End this week.

According to New Bedford Police, patrol units responded to the area of the Ruth Street-Roosevelt Street intersection on June 27 at around 5:30 p.m. for a report of a large group of people about to fight. Police said officers observed about 10 people that “were immediately aggressive with police.”

Sgt. Bruce Szyndlar said he observed Gilberto Torres Garcia, 22, at the scene and knew there were active warrants for his arrest. Police said Garcia then fled the scene, with three other individuals running after Szyndlar to prevent him from giving chase.

Reinaldo Villafane, 25, of Fall River was arrested for attempting to interfere with Garcia’s arrest.

“While taking Garcia into custody, the group in the street began to grow and multiple individuals became confrontational with the responding units,” police said. “The volatile scene quickly became chaotic as people were fighting both with the police and with each other.”

Police said that during the fight, a victim injured by a knife presented himself to police, and a 17-year-old juvenile was placed under arrest for the stabbing.

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Also taken into custody:

Angel Garcia, 22, of Fall River, who is charged with interfering with an arrest and attempting to flee from police.

Dannyshka Figueroa Bermudez, 25, of New Bedford, who police say was observed kicking a male while he was on the ground and who also resisted officers before being taken into custody.

Robert Sylvia, 33, of New Bedford, who police said attempted to drive his scooter through the crowd and nearly struck an officer attempting to stop him. They said he was also found in possession of Suboxone and Gabapentin.

Evelyn Garcia, 45, of Fall River, after police said she was observed assaulting a male.

Hilberto Torres, 57, of New Bedford, who police said was seen by officers kicking a male in the head who was laid out on the sidewalk.