[Pic from Dec. 13 by Event Photos NYC]
Police have arrested a 52-year-old Bronx man for a shooting that occurred early on Dec. 11 outside the Hells Angels clubhouse, the Daily News reports.
The Post names the suspect in custody as Anthony Iovenitti. Police sources have alleged that he shot Valley Stream resident David Martinez, 25, in the stomach during a late night/early morning fight outside the clubhouse between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
Police said that the fight began after Martinez exited his friend's Mercedez-Benz to move an orange parking cone so that the car could pass a livery driver stopped on the street. This prompted a confrontation that ended with the shooting.
According to a previous report in the News, police were looking for a suspect who wore a hat with the word "dad" on it. Both the Daily News and the Post reported that the members of the Hells Angels had not been cooperating with the NYPD's investigation.
In a fairly large operation last Tuesday, police, armed with an Environmental Control Board Summons, shut down the street and removed two Hells Angels-branded planters, a bench and a ramp from outside the HQ.
Updated 12/21
[Pool photography via the Daily Mail]
Iovenitti (pictured above) was arraigned on assault charges, according to published reports.
Per DNAinfo:
Iovenitti, who has seven prior arrests, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, police said. He was ultimately arraigned on the assault and criminal possession charges, according to a criminal complaint.
Iovenitti was also reportedly arrested in October for another fight over a parking spot.
According to the Daily Mail, "Martinez's colon was severed by the bullet, which became lodged in his spine."
And:
He has been recovering in the hospital but was reportedly too scared to speak to police amid fear of reprisals from Hells Angels.
Defense lawyer Ron Kuby said today during the arraignment that "Martinez as the aggressor."
From the Daily News:
“This was not the cone wars,” Kuby told Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Lyle Frank. “(Martinez) grabs a chain from the Mercedes. He starts swinging the chain.”
Kuby also criticized the cops for ripping open Christmas presents in Iovenitti’s upstate home in a search that “caused mayhem in the apartment.”
And from the Post:
Iovenitti is a “prospect” with the notorious motorcycle club, a step away from becoming a full-fledged member.
He was released on $25,000 bail and is due back in court Friday.