Four police officers were injured after being attacked by pit bulls and two arrests were made following a raid on a Webster business last week.
Jeffrey Salley, 35, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with possession of an electric stun gun, obstruction of justice, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a Class C substance, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, possession of a Class E substance, and conspiracy to violate the drug law.
Gabriel Blandino, 30, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card, improperly storing a firearm, leaving ammunition unattended, possession of an electric stun gun, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a Class C substance, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, possession of a Class E substance, and conspiracy to violate the drug law.
Jeffrey Salley and Gabriel Blandino
According to Webster Police, officers, detectives, and members of the FBI were executing a search warrant at Mr. Exotix’s snack retail shop on March 5 around 1 p.m. Following a monthslong investigation into illegal drugs being sold from the store.
“We had information that they were selling to minors, we had gotten information from the school who had been contacted by parents,” Chief Michael Shaw said.
While law enforcement breached the door, police say they were met with resistance from both Salley and Blandino along with two large pit bulls named “Chocolate Chip” and “Salami Mami”. Authorities say they didn’t know of the dog’s existence during the investigation.
Body camera video provided by Webster Police show the chaotic scene as the two pit bulls begin biting officers as they enter the business.
Authorities say one of the dogs was immobilized using a department taser while the other dog was immobilized using OC spray.
Four Webster police officers were injured, with three officers needing to be transported to UMass Webster Hospital for treatment. Officials say those officers have since been released.
“One of the great things about body cameras is that we can show the public and the community, this is what police are dealing with,” Shaw said.
“It is never easy to see my Officers get injured in performing their duties,” he continued. “What angers me more about this is the fact that this was a commercial establishment that was openly distributing narcotics. What angers me even more is the resistance the Officers encountered by the males inside, and then the two pit bulls attacking them as they attempted to secure the individuals and the scene. I applaud the officers for their restraint.”
Webster Animal Control took possession of both pit bulls. Officials determined neither of the dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccinations but are otherwise in good health. They will be subject to a 10-day quarantine.
“This is just not the kind of community that we want here in Webster, we’re trying to make it a better place,” Shaw said.
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