Water Street fight damage.JPG

Damage to Wycked Java's storefront could be seen Monday afternoon after the early morning melee involving over 100 people occurred on Water Street.

(Lindsay Corcoran | MassLive.com)

WORCESTER -- Three people were stabbed several times and a fourth person was hit with a baseball bat Monday morning after more than 100 people brawled in the area of Harrison and Water streets.

Worcester police said two of the victims are known local gang members.

Officers rushed to the area around 1:30 a.m. and saw more than 100 people fighting in the streets. Police said men were armed with bats, bottles and knives. Officers had bottles thrown at them when they got out of their cruisers.

Police told people to stop fighting, but they didn't. Officers used pepper spray on the crowd with no result. All available police were told to the respond to the area.

"Officers believe that the large crowd had come from the Mambo Lounge located at 105 Water Street," police said. "A comedian from New York City had performed there last night with a large contingent from New York followed him to the lounge to see the performance. The fight involved many of the patrons from New York and several local gang members."

Police said one male struck another male over the head with a baseball bat. Officers tried to arrest the suspect, but were pushed back by the crowd. The suspect ran away and again the crowd tried to stop officers from following him.

The suspect was caught, but began to kick and spit at police, according to a news release. The man, identified as Jonah Pichardo, 31, of Bronx, New York was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.

A 17-year-old male, who police said is a local gang member, is accused of punching another man in the face. The teen was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

Beginning around 2 a.m, police began receiving reports of victims arriving at local hospitals. A 25-year-old man, who police identified as a local gang member, had been stabbed several times. He was treated and released.

A 20-year-old man had also been stabbed several times. He had emergency surgery and is expected to survive. Police said a 26-year-old man also arrived at a nearby hospital after he was struck in the chest with a baseball bat. His injuries are non-life threatening.

A man police identified as a 21-year-old local gang member was found at the scene of the fight with several stab wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital. His injuries are non-life threatening.

"Officers at the scene observed the store front window smashed out at Wycked Java located at 108 Water Street," police said. "It was reported to officers that someone was pushed into the window during the fight. Investigators interviewed most of the victims and have received little to no cooperation with regard to suspect information."

Anyone with information can send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD + your message or send an anonymous web based message at worcesterma.gov/police. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651.