A pair of Hells Angels and a third accomplice have been arrested in the alleged murder of a rival biker gang leader, authorities said on Wednesday.
The broad daylight killing occurred on May 2nd in the Allerton section of the Bronx. Surveillance video shows two men in dark hoodies emerging from a Jeep and opening fire on two men in the middle of the street. They can be seen chasing one man around the block, shooting him until he falls.
Police identified the victim as Frank Rosado, a 51-year-old building superintendent and reputed leader of the Pagan Motorcycle Club's Bronx chapter.
This week, police charged 58-year-old Frank Tatulli, 27-year-old Anthony Destegano, and 29-year-old Sayanon Thongthwath with murder, manslaughter, and criminal weapons possession. Both Tatulli and Thongthwath are members of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, according to a police spokesperson.
It wasn't immediately clear who played what role in the fatal shooting.
Last year, the Hells Angels' NYC chapter moved from their longtime East Village home to a new headquarters on a quiet street in the Bronx. Within weeks, multiple shots were fired by unknown group at the exterior of the building — interpreted at the time as a possible message from a rival motorcycle club.
Police now believe the shots were fired by members of the Pagans. Rosado's death was seen as retribution for that incident.
“The Hells Angels moved from Manhattan to the Bronx,” Lt. William S. O’Toole, the commander of the NYPD's Bronx Homicide Squad,told the Times. “So the Pagans want to show them, ‘We’re the Bronx Pagans. We’re the motorcycle club.’”
The victim's wife, Jeannie Rosado, told the Daily News that she wasn't aware of any feud between the Pagans and the Hells Angels.
“He had a short temper but a heart of gold," she told the tabloid. "He leaves two daughters and one son, all grown, and five grandchildren. He was a hardworking man who provided for many people. Everybody’s broken inside. We’re broken. We’re all dying with him.”
