Road Rage-Inspired Melee Leads to 4 Arrests In Gloucester Twp.: Police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A road rage-inspired melee in the middle of a Gloucester Township street led to charges against four young men last week, authorities said. Several weapons, including a handgun, were seized from the scene, according to police.

The suspects — all township residents — sustained minor injuries, including bruises, lacerations and a possible concussion. One was treated at a local hospital and then released.

The altercation stemmed from a minor crash Thursday afternoon, officials said. Two people exited the vehicle that got struck and accosted the two men in the second car on Blackwood-Clementon Road by Emerson Drive, according to law enforcement.

The confrontation began with a fistfight. But then, each person armed themselves with different objects and weapons, including screwdrivers, a long wooden handle and a handgun, police said.

At that point, a Voorhees police officer reached the scene, activated their emergency lights and stopped their vehicle in the roadway. The officer de-escalated the incident and prevented further injury by displaying their service weapon and giving verbal commands, authorities said.

A Gloucester Township detective then arrived and assisted while the Voorhees officer was ordering the suspects to get on the ground. Additional police from Gloucester Township and Voorhees came by to arrest the suspects.

The men were charged with the following:

• Oscar Torres-Montano, 18: aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
• Isaiah Santiago, 19: aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
• Gavin Molino, 19: simple assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and prohibited weapons and devices (hollow-point rounds).
• Emidio Mariani, 21: simple assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and prohibited weapons and devices (hollow-point rounds).

They were also charged with various traffic offenses and then released, pending court appearances.