Gang Violence So Bad, Winston-Salem Applies for Grant to Combat It
Report of gang-related fight brings one arrest
Violence among rival groups in Forsyth has increased, Keith says
By Patrick Wilson
JOURNAL REPORTER
Winston-Salem police arrested one man after a report of a gang-related brawl Friday night.
Forsyth County District Attorney Tom Keith said yesterday that the fight is another indication that gang violence is a growing problem, adding that a fatal hit-and-run last summer is now considered to have been prompted by a dispute between rival gangs.
On Friday, police were called about 9:45 p.m. to the dead end of Ardsley Street, off Peters Creek Parkway, to what was reported as a fight involving 30 to 40 people.
Officers found an unspecified number of men in a car who ran when they saw police, court papers said. The car was full of weapons, and the man arrested had gang markings, court papers said. Police did not say what kind of weapons were seized, nor was the type of gang markings available.
Rafael Figueroa Quiterio, 24, of 765 Colton St. in southeast Winston-Salem was arrested on a charge of resisting an officer. He was released from the Forsyth County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.
A magistrate told him that the bond was set at $5,000 because the fight involved gangs, court papers said.
Other men ran into the woods and were not caught, said Lt. Ted Best of the Winston-Salem police. It was unclear if anyone was injured.
Police did not release further information.
Gang crime has grown so much that the district attorney's office plans to apply for a federal grant to fight gang violence, and the Winston-Salem police are adding to a database listing gang members.
Friday's fight "is not unusual," Keith said. "Last weekend there were two gang-related violent incidents. We've got a pending murder case that was retaliation for a gang incident that took place at Glenn High School last year. Two rival gangs, they recognized a gang member and killed him."
Sixteen students were arrested in the August 2004 brawl at Glenn, which started after students fought over a girl.
Brad Denard Steele, 18, died Aug. 19, 2005, seven days after he was hit by a car driven by Jesus Armando Andrade, who was 17 at the time, police said.
Steele was hit outside the Food Lion at 1000 Waughtown St. by a Dodge Neon with two men inside. Armando-Andrade has been charged with first-degree murder, and Keith's office is considering whether to ask for the death penalty.
Keith said that he spent part of the day Friday working on an application for a U.S. Justice Department grant that would help the county fight gang members. Winston-Salem police keep track of gang members who met certain criteria. Police have not said how many they have found.
Tony Montanez is a counselor for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina who talks to students in Forsyth County schools and tries to mentor gang members and their families.
He said that two Hispanic gangs in Winston-Salem have been feuding over a fight that happened a few weeks ago on Waughtown Street in which a man's ribs were broken and a brick was thrown through a car window.
"It's blowing up," he said. "It keeps getting bigger and heavier."
Statewide, police in Charlotte and Durham have reported crimes caused by gang members. In December, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested seven gang members in Greensboro as part a roundup in seven states and the District of Columbia.
• Patrick Wilson can be reached at 727-7286 or atpwilson@wsjournal.com
Violence among rival groups in Forsyth has increased, Keith says
By Patrick Wilson
JOURNAL REPORTER
Winston-Salem police arrested one man after a report of a gang-related brawl Friday night.
Forsyth County District Attorney Tom Keith said yesterday that the fight is another indication that gang violence is a growing problem, adding that a fatal hit-and-run last summer is now considered to have been prompted by a dispute between rival gangs.
On Friday, police were called about 9:45 p.m. to the dead end of Ardsley Street, off Peters Creek Parkway, to what was reported as a fight involving 30 to 40 people.
Officers found an unspecified number of men in a car who ran when they saw police, court papers said. The car was full of weapons, and the man arrested had gang markings, court papers said. Police did not say what kind of weapons were seized, nor was the type of gang markings available.
Rafael Figueroa Quiterio, 24, of 765 Colton St. in southeast Winston-Salem was arrested on a charge of resisting an officer. He was released from the Forsyth County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.
A magistrate told him that the bond was set at $5,000 because the fight involved gangs, court papers said.
Other men ran into the woods and were not caught, said Lt. Ted Best of the Winston-Salem police. It was unclear if anyone was injured.
Police did not release further information.
Gang crime has grown so much that the district attorney's office plans to apply for a federal grant to fight gang violence, and the Winston-Salem police are adding to a database listing gang members.
Friday's fight "is not unusual," Keith said. "Last weekend there were two gang-related violent incidents. We've got a pending murder case that was retaliation for a gang incident that took place at Glenn High School last year. Two rival gangs, they recognized a gang member and killed him."
Sixteen students were arrested in the August 2004 brawl at Glenn, which started after students fought over a girl.
Brad Denard Steele, 18, died Aug. 19, 2005, seven days after he was hit by a car driven by Jesus Armando Andrade, who was 17 at the time, police said.
Steele was hit outside the Food Lion at 1000 Waughtown St. by a Dodge Neon with two men inside. Armando-Andrade has been charged with first-degree murder, and Keith's office is considering whether to ask for the death penalty.
Keith said that he spent part of the day Friday working on an application for a U.S. Justice Department grant that would help the county fight gang members. Winston-Salem police keep track of gang members who met certain criteria. Police have not said how many they have found.
Tony Montanez is a counselor for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina who talks to students in Forsyth County schools and tries to mentor gang members and their families.
He said that two Hispanic gangs in Winston-Salem have been feuding over a fight that happened a few weeks ago on Waughtown Street in which a man's ribs were broken and a brick was thrown through a car window.
"It's blowing up," he said. "It keeps getting bigger and heavier."
Statewide, police in Charlotte and Durham have reported crimes caused by gang members. In December, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested seven gang members in Greensboro as part a roundup in seven states and the District of Columbia.
• Patrick Wilson can be reached at 727-7286 or atpwilson@wsjournal.com
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