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2 days ago
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Reputed gangster Ralph Santaniello back in court over road rage incident
PALMER — Reputed organized crime leader Ralph A. Santaniello was arraigned on an assault and battery charge Friday, accused of blasting another motorist with pepper spray during a road rage incident in East Longmeadow. According to the alleged victim, Bryan Punderson, the driver of a Nissan on North Main Street tried to muscle his way into a lane on June 26 without using a blinker. The vehicle then merged behind Punderson's car. Soon after, a confrontation began, police said. 'Mr. Punderson stated he braked and, in an attempt to distance himself from the vehicle, he pulled into the Auth Fuel parking lot and pulled toward the exit to merge back into traffic,' a police report says. Punderson, an insurance agent, told police he angled his car to leave the fuel company's parking lot. That's when he said two men approached his car. Punderson began recording the events with his cell phone. The men came to his car window, which was open, and one, allegedly Santaniello, grabbed a black can. The police report says the officer who examined Punderson's video observed a black can, about the size of a 16-ounce water bottle, in a black carrying case. Santaniello, identified as 'Suspect 2,' stated: 'You think you're a (expletive) tough guy? You're a (expletive) rat. (expletive) you.' Santaniello then hit Punderson in the face with an orange mist from the spray can, according to the report. Santaniello, 58, of Longmeadow, is also charged with malicious destruction of a motor vehicle and disorderly conduct. With a cast on his hand Friday, Santaniello pleaded not guilty to all charges in Palmer District Court. Despite his violent history and ties to the mob, Assistant Hampden District Attorney Andrew Gilbert did not make an argument for detention or bail. Judge Michael Mulcahy released Santaniello on his own recognizance without restrictions. Santaniello is a 'made man' with the Springfield crew of the Genovese organized crime family, according to law enforcement officials, though the local group is a shell of what it once was. The East Longmeadow police report lists eight assault-related charges involving Santaniello dating back to the late 1980s. Santaniello was convicted in federal court of extortion, for which he received a five-year prison sentence. He was released in 2020. The primary scheme he was linked to at the time was the shakedown of a Springfield towing company operator. Santaniello and cohorts ambushed the businessman at his property in Hampden, court testimony showed. Santaniello slapped the man, demanded thousands of dollars in 'street taxes' and threatened to bury the man in his own backyard. Before that, Santaniello was convicted of being involved in an illegal gambling operation he ran out of his mother's home. Regarding the road rage allegations, defense lawyer Daniel D. Kelly said the police report told only one side of the story. 'We look forward to telling our side of the story and addressing the allegations in court,' Kelly said. A pretrial conference is set for Sept. 26. Read the original article on MassLive.
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2 days ago
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Abandoned puppy found in Mass. euthanized, police investigate as animal cruelty
Police have been investigating an animal cruelty case in which two puppies were found abandoned in Randolph earlier this month, according to police. One of the puppies was in such bad condition that veterinarians decided to euthanize it. On the evening of Aug. 1, a passerby found two puppies abandoned along a walkway between the Martin E. Young Elementary School on Lou Courtney Drive and Barbara Road, Randolph police said in a press release. The passerby quickly notified police, and the puppies — a male and female around 11 weeks old — were immediately taken to VCA Weymouth. 'Unfortunately, shortly after arrival, it was determined that due to the extent of the condition of the male puppy, the most compassionate recourse was to provide him with a peaceful passing,' police wrote. Randolph police are now asking the public to help them identify 'the individual(s) responsible for dumping these helpless dogs,' the police department wrote. Investigators believe the suspects are likely basement breeders who live in Randolph or a neighboring community. The puppies are of mixed breed — possibly some sort of shepherd or hound mix — and have 'a distinct black tail,' police said. The female puppy is not currently up for adoption. Randolph police are asking anyone who thinks they may have seen suspicious activity in the area on or around Aug. 1 or who knows of home breeders in the area that breed similar dogs to contact them. Those with information about the case are asked to call Detective Kevin Aldred at 781-963-1212, police said. Alternatively, you can submit an anonymous tip by texting 'Randolph' to 847411 or by downloading the Randolph Police Department application onto your Apple or Android phone. No further information about the case has been released. More local crime stories Brockton man arrested after stealing truck with two Frenchies inside, police say Reputed gangster Ralph Santaniello back in court over road rage incident Defense lawyer argues arrest of accused teen drug dealer was built on flimsy search warrant Man critically injured in overnight stabbing in Boston Worcester man convicted of 2020 murder sparked by argument over restaurant bill Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
