FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release - Sterling Police Department

9/25/2006

Sterling helps catch suspect

By John Weeks
ITEM STAFF

STERLING— Sterling Police assisted other law enforcement agencies Friday night in arresting a man who Gardner Police said was involved in a bizarre kidnapping plot that erupted into gunfire in front of a packed funeral home in their town earlier that night.

Carlos Romero, 46, of 39 Mission St., Gardner was arraigned in Gardner District Court Monday morning on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, assault and battery with a firearm and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Romero was arrested on Route 140 in Sterling around 11:20 p.m. by Sterling, Princeton and State Police officers after a stakeout of that road spotted his car traveling toward Worcester.

"Congratulations to Sterling for looking for his car," said Gardner Police Detective Lieutenant Gerald Poirier. "They staked out 140. They may have helped prevent another serious crime, or even worse."

Poirier said Romero, along with two accomplices, kidnapped a 46 year-old Worcester man Friday night and drove him to the Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant St., Gardner.

The victim later told police he "had been beaten" and "forced into a vehicle at gunpoint," Poirier said.

Poirier said the kidnapping was drug related and the three kidnappers and the victim are all in the same group of friends and family who were mourning the late Ingrid Chamorro during wake services at the funeral home Friday night.

"You know the film 'Goodfellas?' " Poirier said. "Well, these guys are the Hispanic version."

Poirier said the kidnappers pulled up in front of the packed funeral home, only to have their prisoner escape.

"The victim claimed he was hit by gunfire when one of two shots fired from the vehicle grazed his forehead during the escape," Poirier said. "An all points bulletin was broadcast to area departments."

Romero driving his car alone, toward Worcester, when Sterling Police and other agencies pulled him over and arrested him.

"A search of Romero's vehicle yielded illegal drugs and a handgun believed to be one of the two guns used during the assault and kidnapping," Poirier said.

Ronald Serrano, 36, of 32 Sand St., Gardner, was arrested Saturday morning by Gardner Police after he attempted to attend services at the funeral home. He was arraigned in Gardner District Court Monday morning.

Poirier said police have identified the third suspect as Sonic Torres, 32, who is believed to be homeless.

"An arrest warrant has been taken out for his arrest," Poirier said. "He has 666 tattooed over his right eye. He has a tattoo of a gun on his back. And I believe he has a new tattoo on his arm that says 'I hate life.' "

Poirier said the incident was not uncommon for the area.

"There is an underground criminal justice system that the drug pushers are using," Poirier said. "They use it to get back at people who steal drugs from them. Public awareness is important. This kind of stuff is very common, but it only gets realized when the police are called. The criminals like to leave the police out of it."

Poirier described the incident as another example of "big city crime coming to the small towns," and commended the Sterling Police for stopping Romero before the gang violence potentially escalated and someone got killed.

By John Weeks
ITEM STAFF