WESTFIELD – Three men were arrested over the weekend for attacking two other men, including one over the age of 60.
Arrested were Jason R. Beaumier, 45, and Jose M Velez, 42, both of 15 Fowler St., and Mark A. Nutting, 42, of 11 Noble Ave.
Each were charged with five counts: assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), assault and battery on a +60/disabled person with injury, vandalizing property, assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on 60+ person.
According to Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe, the victims were driving up and down Fowler Street and were told by two teenage girls to slow down.
When one of the victims “responded not to their liking,” the teens told their parents/adults about the incident, said McCabe.
An altercation ensued, which left the victims bloodied and beaten.
Police received a call at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night from the girlfriend of one of the victims.
When police arrived to the vicinity of 36 Fowler Street, they found one victim with “severe bruising to the face and back area,” according to court records.
The other victim had bruising and a laceration to the forehead area.
The victims stated they had been attacked by a group of men who punched and kicked them with boots and shoes and that they had been “in fear of their lives during the attack,” according to court records.
Police noted that a vehicle was damaged when the elderly victim was thrown into it.
The suspects were arraigned in Westfield District Court Monday with Beaumier and Nutting released on $500 cash surety each.
Velez was held in lieu of $2,500 cash due to the nature of the crime, the defendant’s record for illegal drug distribution and his record of convictions, which includes state prison time for manslaughter and armed assault with intent to murder. Additionally, Velez has at least four prior appearance defaults, according to the prosecutor’s request for bail.
In May 2013, Westfield police raided 15 Fowler Street and arrested Velez and his wife, Yaribeth, on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, which also included having their children involved with their illegal activities. Their son, Joel Hernandez, who was 18 at the time, was arrested on the same charges.
In November 2014, Velez received six months probation for the charges.
The three defendants are due back in court on October 27.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
