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Suspect Charged With Beating Of Rangers Fan After Winter Classic

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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