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Gang Suspects Held In Assault

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By LISA A. DAVIS

ldavis@tampatrib.com

Published: December 12, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Police say two members of an active New Port Richey area gang are behind bars today, accused of beating a 42-year-old man Nov. 25.

Paul David Morman III, 18, and David Martin "Blink" Santiago, 28, who police say are members of the Valentine Bloods, were arrested by New Port Richey police Detective Randy Murphy on Wednesday on charges of aggravated battery.

Police say that just after 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25, four men seriously beat the man with their fists and feet. Police are seeking a third suspect but don't know who the fourth man is yet.

According to Murphy, the victim, whose name is being withheld because two suspects are still on the lam, was test-driving his 1968 Dodge Coronet after some repairs were done when he was stopped by a group of young men on Celeste Lane in Congress Park.

At first, the driver thought they were interested in checking out his classic car so he stopped. Then someone flashed a handgun.

"Get out of the car, we're going to kill you," one of them told him.

The man stepped out of the car, challenging them, Murphy said Thursday.

"He thinks if he calls their bluff, they'll back down," he said.

But he was immediately surrounded by the men, Murphy said, and the next thing the victim remembers is being struck in the head.

When a neighbor ran outside to help, the men ran away, leaving the victim unconscious, a report states.

The victim was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he was treated for a fractured nose, skull and orbital injuries, according to a report.

The man is still recovering at home but might not fully recover, Murphy said.

"He may actually have some brain damage," he said.

Witnesses helped lead the detective to Morman and Santiago, who police say is the gang's leader, on Wednesday. They denied injuring the man.

"They put themselves there but said they didn't do it," Murphy said.

Santiago denied having anything to do with the case.
Morman told Murphy the classic-car owner almost hit him with his car and a bunch of friends told him to attack the man, according to the report.

Once Morman saw him up close, however, he realized the man was "about 65" and he could not hit "an old man," a report states. Then, Morman told Murphy, four unknown men walked past Morman when he was walking away from the man, according to the report, and they beat the man.

Morman, who police said was a recent gang recruit, told Murphy he couldn't stop the beating but he ordered them off his property when they were done.

Santiago, of 5906 Van Buren St., and Morman, of 6550 Celeste Lane, are being held at Land O' Lakes Jail. Bail for each is set at $50,000.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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