By Jeff Lipton
The fracas started at 11:30 p.m. on March 4 during a house party thrown by a 16-year-old girl in her Bayswater Boulevard home, police said. One suspect, identified as Randy Gotterup, 16, of Doughty Boulevard in Inwood, described as an acquaintance of the girl, was involved in a heated argument with another party-goer, officials said. The argument quickly escalated to fisticuffs, said Detective Sgt. Willard Miller of the Fourth Squad.
Gotterup, who did not appear badly injured, then left the house and returned about 20 minutes later with his brothers, Bruce, 27, of Haven Avenue in Valley Stream, and David, 25, of Ormond Street in Hempstead, and an alleged accomplice, Joseph Conklin, 24, also of Ormond Street.
When the four pulled up to the Bayswater Boulevard home, the guests at the party saw them coming and locked the front door, police said. The four suspects repeatedly pounded on and kicked the front door until an unidentified party guest opened the door, Miller said.
This prompted four of the home's occupants to gather in a first-floor bedroom and lock themselves inside, Miller said. "These four people retreated to the bedroom, and the suspects ultimately broke the door in half to gain entry," Miller said. "They attacked the three males inside."
The suspects began to repeatedly punch and kick two 25-year-old men and a 19-year-old man, Miller said. One of the 25-year-olds suffered a severe cut to his face and was taken to St. John's Episcopal Hospital, South Shore, in Far Rockaway. The two other victims suffered cuts and bruises but refused medical attention, police said.
"I would say that they whacked them around pretty good," Miller said of the beatings the victims took.
During the scuffle in the bedroom, a TV was knocked off a shelf and fell on a girl who had retreated to the bedroom for safety. She was bruised but not seriously injured, Miller said.
Police were called, and arrested Randy and Bruce Gotterup at the house before they could leave, charging them with first-degree burglary, police said. Other charges may be filed against them, detectives said.
The other suspects managed to run away before police arrived. "We know who they are," Miller said on Monday morning. "We know who we are looking for." Detectives arrested David Gotterup at his Hempstead home at 11:05 p.m. on Monday, and charged him with first-degree burglary, police said.
While at the Hempstead home, police also arrested Conklin, charging him with a grand larceny that occurred in Baldwin on Jan. 6. He is suspected of stealing three checks, totaling $1,275, from a 44-year-old Bellmore man who is Conklin's former employer in a Baldwin business. The checks were stolen, forged and cashed from the victim's business account in Baldwin. Conklin was charged with two counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument.
Conklin had not been charged in the house-party incident as of press time. "He is our fourth suspect in the fight, but he has not been formally charged with that yet," said Miller.
Police also arrested a 16-year-old boy at Elm Street and Bayswater Boulevard at 11:10 p.m. on the night of the fight, and charged him with possession of metal knuckles, officials said. The teen was identified as Justin Didier of Inwood. Miller said he probably was one of the party-goers, but was not involved in the fight.
Randy and Bruce Gotterup were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead last Saturday. Bruce was released after posting $4,000 bond, and Randy was released on his own recognizance, court officials said. Their next court date was scheduled for Tuesday, after the Herald went to press. David Gotterup was due to be arraigned on Tuesday as well.
Police said they still trying to determine what the original fight was all about. "It was one of those parties that went bad," said Miller.
Comments about this story? JLipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
