Stabbing, beating probe brings five arrests

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April 11, 2012

Stabbing, beating probe brings five arrests

By Stephanie Bergman Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Wed Apr 11, 2012, 05:57 AM EDT

A double stabbing and a beating that took place last Friday morning has lead to five arrests following a extended joint investigation between Gloucester and Massachusetts State Police.

Donge Sanon, 20, Corey James, 20, William Garcia, 23, and Mark Mitchell, 21, were each arrested on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after allegedly kicking one of the stabbing victims once he was down, according to police reports released Tuesday.

Far more serious charges, however, were filed against Garth "Pinky" Ramos, 22, of Veterans Way. He faces two counts of assault with intent to murder for allegedly stabbing a 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, three counts of indecent assault and battery for allegedly groping three women, assault and battery for allegedly kicking the male stabbing victim and open and gross lewdness for allegedly exposing himself to one of the women he reportedly groped.

According to police, the incident began at a house party on Harvard Street. Ramos, police said, was allegedly acting "out of control," and cornered a woman in a bedroom, groped her, then exposed himself to her.

When the woman left the room, Ramos left as well, and is accused of groping two other women at the party. The boyfriend of his third alleged victim objected, police said, and Ramos began to scream at the woman, asking why she, a mixed race woman, was dating a white man, according to the report.

Despite that outburst, police say they believe the crime spree was not racially motivated, and the Essex County District Attorney's Office will not seek a hate crime enhancement.

The woman hosting the party kicked out Ramos and the couple with whom he was arguing.

Ramos began fighting with the couple in the street, police said, and Sanon, James, Garcia and Mitchell joined in. Sometime during the beating, Ramos stabbed the couple.

Ramos' clothes were soaked in blood when police arrived, according to the report; the two knife victims were transported by the Fire Department's Rescue Squad to Beverly Hospital, but have since been released and made statements to police.

Ramos told police who came to the scene that he had tried to stop four white males from beating and stabbing the couple. Ramos was allegedly nervous, and when the detective on scene began to search him tried to stop the search. Ramos was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct.

Police questioned Sanon, who they said waived his Miranda rights, and admitted to his part in the beating, but said he did not know who stabbed the couple. James made a similar statement, according to police.

According to police, Ramos allegedly handed the knife off to Garcia, who told officers he did not know anyone had been stabbed. But Garcia gave the knife to the woman who hosted the party, who told police she wrapped the knife in a plastic bag, then in a sweatshirt, and tossed it into the Annisquam River.

Police, however, said the woman brought officers to the place where she dumped the knife. No charges have been filed against her.

"This was a very well-run investigation by all parties, including the state police, Detective Jeremiah Nicastro and the officers on scene," said Lt. Kathy Auld, the Gloucester Police chief of detectives.

Stephanie Bergman can be reached at 978-283-7000, or sbergman@gloucestertimes.com.