POCONO TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Four men were arrested and one is still wanted after police say a basketball game led to a fight with gun threats in Monroe County last month.
According to the Pocono Township Police Department, on July 8 around 7:00 p.m., officers were called to TLC Park basketball court for a report of 5-6 people fighting.
Through further investigation, police said they learned a disagreement between eight men happened during a basketball game that led to a fight. Witnesses on the scene said that a man, later identified as Ethan Mercado, 20, of Tobyhanna, took out a gun and pointed it at several people on the court, officers stated.
Mercado, and three others, Damond Brantley, Ephram Mercado, 19, of Tobyhanna, and Josiah Otero-Acevedo, 19, of Tobyhanna, fled the scene in the same car before police arrived.
The car that fled the scene was found to be owned and driven by Brantley who investigators say arrived at the basketball court with a bag that had the gun inside it.
During the fight, Mercado took the gun from Brantely’s bag and pointed it at several people, as stated in the release.
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On July 10, Brantley’s car was found and he was placed under arrest. Inside the car was the gun that was allegedly used during the fight. He was charged with aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, recklessly endangering another person, and disorderly conduct.
Ephram Mercado and Otero-Acevedo were both arrested and are awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Ethan Mercado is still wanted in connection to the incident. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Aaron Anglemyer at 570-629-7200.
A fifth person, Patrick McDaniel, 21, was arrested and charged for his involvement in the fight. Police say McDaniel denied being involved and gave a fake name to officers. After reviewing surveillance video, officers said McDaniel lied and was an active participant in the fight.
Pocono Township Police: Ethan Mercado, Damond Brantley, Josiah Otero-Acevedo, Ephram Mercado, Patrick McDaniel
All five were charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.
