Three men were arrested on assault charges after a simmering dispute escalated into a convenience store stabbing in Hartford, police said.
One man was stabbed in the stomach; a second sustained less serious injuries during Tuesday’s street brawl, which Lt. Paul Cicero said involved “mutual combatants.” Both are expected to recover.
The person who faces the most serious assault charges is Ismael Vasquez, 38, of Park Street in Meriden, police said Wednesday. Vasquez is charged with first-degree assault and interfering with police. His bail was set at $250,000.
William Rodriguez of Charter Oak Avenue in Hartford was charged with second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault and breach of peace, police said. Bail for Rodriguez, who turned 39 Wednesday, was set at $150,000.
Samuel Rodriguez, 40, of Stedman Street in Hartford, was charged with third-degree assault, conspiracy to commit third-degree assault and breach of peace, police said. His bail was set at $50,000. It wasn’t clear if he is related to William Rodriguez.
An ongoing disagreement led to the fight, which Cicero said started outside Sam’s Food Stores at 611 Maple Ave. about 6:20 p.m.
“This appears to be an ongoing dispute between the three of them,” he said.
The men ended up inside the store, where the stabbing happened, Cicero said.
When patrol officers and detectives who were in the area arrived, they saw a man matching the suspected stabber’s description running away, police said. They ran after him, chasing him east on Whitmore Street.
The suspect ran into an apartment at 17 Whitmore St., where police said they took him into custody. He had minor injuries that police determined were a result of the fight. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, police said.
The stabbing victim was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition after surgery, Cicero said.
Police learned that a third man was involved in the brawl, too. They found him at the store and arrested him, he said.
Cicero said surveillance video of the fight recovered from the Capital City Command Center (C4) and the business where the stabbing happened “aided greatly in the investigation.”
Christine Dempsey can be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
