Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Suspect Named in Woodbridge Cop Beating After Flyers-Rangers Game

Philadelphia police are charging Dennis Veteri of Glassboro with throwing the first punch in the beatdown of Woodbridge policeman Neal Auricchio, Jr.

Philadelphia police have arrested Dennis Veteri, 32, of Glassboro with throwing the  in the after-game brawl that left Woodbridge Police Officer Neal Auricchio, Jr. unconscious, bruised, and bleeding. The fight took place after a Flyers-Rangers hockey game earlier this month.

NBC Philadelphia has reported that the suspect was found after witnesses in the area who had seen the fight pointed out a bar across the street from the Geno's restaurant where the beatdown took place. Police obtained a warrant and searched the bar receipts and discovered a credit card receipt for more than $225 signed for shortly before 7 pm the same night as the brawl. 

People who saw the fight said Veteri yelled "Welcome to South Philly," followed by a curse, before he decked Auricchio.

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Veteri turned himself into police on Thursday. He was charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and released after he posted 10 percent of $50,000 bail, as reported by Bob's Blitz, a sports talk website that has been following the Auricchio case.

Veteri has been in scrapes with the law before. He was put on probation for drug possession and aggravated assault, and arrested in Florida on a probation violation in 2006.

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Witnesses and two of the victims of the fight identified Veteri from a photo line-up, police said. 

Auicchio, a decorated Iraq war veteran and four year member of the Woodbridge police force, will need facial surgery for his injuries. and his family as guests in an upcoming Rangers-Devils game that will take place in February at Madison Square Garden.


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