Westport cops: video of assault shows an additional suspect

Rafael Valle, 34, of Bridgeport, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. Rafael Valle, 34, of Bridgeport, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. Photo: Contributed / Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed / Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Westport cops: video of assault shows an additional suspect 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

WESTPORT — A video was released by Westport police Wednesday that shows the assault that took place after a car chase Tuesday morning, warning that it may be graphic to some.

The video shows one male party exit a white van that proceeds to drive down the wrong side of the road, in the wrong direction. A second male party is seen chasing after another male, who falls to the ground prior to the assault.

The assault, according to the witness footage, took place in the middle of the road.

The victim of the assault is showed being dragged by his feet before the male begins to hit and kick him, even stomping on his head several times. An additional vehicle pulls up to the scene and another male exits the vehicle and begins to kick the victim.

Police said the person who pulls up to the scene while the assault is going on fled the scene and has yet to be located.

“The vehicle was described as a red-bronze or rust colored Ford Explorer with possible Maryland registration,” Westport police said.

Anyone with information on this is asked to contact the Westport Police Department Detective Bureau at 203-341-6080.

Fernando Morales, 42, of Derby, and Rafael Valle, 34, of Bridgeport, were arrested following the incident, Westport police said.

Morales was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and breach of peace. Valle was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. The two were released after each posted a $5,000 bond. They both have court dates of Nov. 6.

The incident began around 9 a.m. on Oct. 24 when Westport police responded to the 500 block of Post Road East for a report of a fight nearby.

Police said officers that responded to the scene found two men fighting in the middle of the road in front of the Volvo dealership. Officers said that it appeared the two had gotten into an accident prior to the fight.

Officers handcuffed Morales and Valle as they investigated the incident and attempted to determine what took place. They soon discovered there had been a disturbance between the two in Derby earlier and that at least one person had fled the scene.

Morales and Valle were taken into custody. Police said one of them — but did not specify which — was taken to Norwalk Hospital for injuries he sustained during the fight.

The Westport and Derby police departments worked together during the investigation, Westport police said.