By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.
For the Transcript
Winthrop Police, acting on a tip from a concerned resident who witnessed three young men fighting at a local pizzeria, arrested three alleged drug dealers on a variety of charges late Sunday afternoon.
Charged in the incident were Justin Short, 19, of 37 Tapley Ave., Unit 1, in Revere, Jose Coll, 20, of 282 Grover Street, Unit R, in Revere and Hipolito Cruz, 21, of 5 Spencer Avenue, Unit 2, in Chelsea.
According to police reports, at approximately 4:52 p.m. on June 28, the Winthrop Police received a report of a serious fight over a drug deal occurring in the Winthrop House of Pizza.
Responding officers Shawn McCarthy, William Hagemeister and Marc Scorzella stopped a black 2006 Infiniti and were able to identify the occupants – Short, Coll and Cruz – as the suspects in the reported altercation.
A search of the suspects was conducted with the help of the State Police K-9 Unit drug dog, and the three suspects were found to be carrying approximately 36 pills believed to be OxyContin and a sum of $5,961.
All three suspects were charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of disorderly conduct, and two counts of conspiracy to violate the drug law. Additionally, Short was charged with assault to rob; Coll was charged with unarmed robbery and drug possession, with intent to distribute in a school zone; and Cruz was charged with unarmed robbery.
Acting Chief Terence Delehanty said Detective Lieutenant Brian Perrin assisted with the follow-up investigation of this case.