News

Fisherman arrested following altercation at Goldsmith Inlet

A fisherman from Brentwood was arrested on a felony assault charge after he allegedly hit another fisherman in the head with a flashlight in the early hours Saturday morning, causing a severe laceration. Both men were fishing at Goldsmith Inlet in Peconic.
Julio Lopez, 51, reportedly struck Emmanuel Rosales, 30, of Franklin Square after he was involved in an argument with Mr. Rosales and a group of other fishermen from Franklin Square.
Southold Town Police Captain Martin Flatley said Tuesday that Mr. Lopez was stopped on Route 48 in Mattituck after fleeing the scene. Captain Flatley said Mr. Lopez also had a laceration on his head. Both men were taken to ELIH and treated for their injuries.
Captain Flatley said only Mr. Lopez was charged, because after a lengthy investigation due to a language barrier between police and those involved in the fight, police determined he was the first person to instigate a physical confrontation.
Captain Flatley said police responded to the scene after another fisherman called police when he heard shouts for help.
“There are large groups fishing there on weekends through the night,” he said.
The Southold Town Board on Tuesday agreed to draft a notice of public hearing on restricting parking to town permit holders at the end of Mill Lane, adjacent to Goldsmith Inlet, in part due to the large numbers of fishermen from out of town who congregate there at night on weekends. A town parking sticker is required in the parking lot at the end of Mill Lane, but not on the sides of the road leading up to the lot.
[email protected]