City police officer Eugene Rodella and his brother Gabriel Oct. 7 allegedly (still) attacked several owners and an employee of the Dragon’s Lair Hookah Lounge and Tatoo Parlor.
An allegedly drunk Eugene Rodella was there to retaliate for his nephew’s (T.J. Rodella) poor treatment the previous night. There was an alleged State Police officer with Eugene and Gabriel Rodella.
City police detective Brian Martinez witnessed most of the incident and a 911 recording tells the tale of Martinez telling Eugene Rodella to stop what he’s doing, “You’re about to make a big mistake.”
Eugene Rodella is on probation with the Law Enforcement Academy for an alleged attack on his wife. His simple involvement at Dragon’s Lair is a violation of his probation.
The Dragon’s Lair sustained thousands of dollars of damage, was closed for awhile and its tattoo artist can’t work because of a broken toe.
No arrests have been made. No one has been charged with any crime. State Police continue to “investigate.” Eugene Rodella is on administrative leave, with pay, waiting the outcome of the “investigation.”
“We have to evaluate it, we have to talk to witnesses, and all of that takes time,” District Attorney Angela Pacheco said. Isn’t that what State Police investigators do?
Assistant District Attorney Anthony Rivera is still “evaluating and making decisions as to what’s going to happen.” Read the story on page A2 about Eugene Rodella’s past scrapes with the law and a fair guess can be made about what will happen.
It’s been 36 days since the Rodellas allegedly vandalized a legitimate business, attacked two of its owners, an employee and caused a significant loss of income. When will the State Police finish its investigation and make an arrest, city police chief Julian Gonzales take some real action and the District Attorney’s office file some charges or move for an indictment against both Rodellas?
Had this been a citizen with no political clout in the form of state Rep. Debbie Rodella (sister-in law) and former magistrate judge Tommy Rodella, (brother) we would not be waiting for some intimidated State Police or city police chief to take action. Do the right thing. Go against political pressure and charge these hoods, incarcerate them like any other citizen would have been incarcerated and let the system take its course. They can make bail and argue their cases in court like the rest of us.