Suspect Charged With Beating Of Rangers Fan After Winter Classic

January 13, 2012 11:20 PM

By Al Novack, Walt Hunter and Todd Quinones

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Gloucester County man is facing charges for his alleged role in a violent fight that was caught on tape outside Geno’s Steaks following the NHL’s Winter Classic on January 2nd.

The video, which was posted on YouTube, shows several Flyers’ fans beating two New York Rangers’ fans, one of whom was a police officer in New Jersey and a decorated Iraq War veteran.

Dennis Veteri, 32, of the 100 block of South Stoneshire Drive in Glassboro, New Jersey, surrendered to police with his attorney on Thursday.

Veteri has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal conspiracy and reckless endangerment.

Story continues below photo …

Cell phone video of the incident captured a group of Flyers’ fans attacking a pair of Rangers’ fans outside Geno’s Steaks at 9th and Passyunk in South Philadelphia. The suspects continued to punch and kick the victims after they were on the ground (see previous story and video).

One of the victims was identified as Neal Auricchio of Westfield, New Jersey, who is an Iraq war veteran and a police officer in Woodbridge, N.J. Auricchio suffered severe facial injuries during the violent attack.

Investigators say Veteri said “Welcome to South Philly, (expletive)!” as he stood over Auricchio.

Court records show that Veteri has a history of seven arrests that include aggravated assault and heroin possession.

Veteri was released after posting bail.

Investigators are currently searching for at least two more suspects.

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http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/01/18/bail-raised-for-suspect-in-beating-of-rangers-fan-after-winter-classic/ Bail Raised For Suspect In Beating Of Rangers Fan After Winter Classic « CBS Philly

[...] Dennis Veteri, 32, has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal conspiracy and reckless endangerment. The Glassboro resident surrendered to police on January 12th (see related story). [...]
frank less

His neighbor calls him the “most docile person in the world.” Others say he just won a fair fight. And some point out that he is from Jersey, not Philly. Oh Really???Seven arrests, aggravated assault and drug possesion? A fair fight with two guys pounding a man on the floor? And Philly fans, whether or not they live in Jersey, have a culture that thinks it is OK to get nasty and physically violent. I kinda think some funny, even witty, trash talk is a lot of fun. But I guess when you haven’t got the brain power to be witty or funny, you revert to violence. Maybe they are just angry that they are stupid.
NY Jim L

How fitting, he’s from NJ–wow, what a shock. He looks like he’d hang out with “The Situation” . All these Jersey guys are punks!!
jill v

figures he’s from jersey – clowns come over the bridge and do asinine things like this and philly has to take the blame.
anthony

hes a coward. he sucker punched him from the side when he wasnt even looking. hes not from philly and in no way represents the citizens of this city. hes a punk, wuss, felon from jersey. he wasnt even at the game. hes a punk.
Mike

Why are both sides being charge? Didn’t look like the Rangers fans were trying to walk away from this fight….both parties are at fault!!! Just because you lost a fight doesn’t mean you were not involved!

kay

You were obviously not there; the camera did not capture the initial beginnings where they were sprayed with window cleaner and being harassed. You are allowed to defend yourself if someone attacks you.
NY Jim L

Please Mikey, get a purpose or at least try to buy a clue. It’s quite apparent that you’re from Jersey too. Too many fumes from those refineries…

H.E. Pennypacker

New Jersey on New Jersey crime.
Charlie

Aggravated assault? For a fist fight? That’s got plea bargain stamped on it. Simple assault and reckless endangerment maybe. Conspiracy won’t stick either.