Police: Motorcycle club member punched Norwich man to get revenge

Police Department, referred inquiries to spokesmen for the tribe and the casino.

Norwich — One of two men who allegedly invaded a Bridge Street home Saturday was a motorcycle club member who believed a man inside had assaulted one of his sister’s friends, according to a police report.

Christopher J. Manuel, 28, of Stafford Springs was arrested about four hours after the incident. Police charged him with home invasion, second-degree threatening and third-degree assault.

According to a police document prepared for a prosecutor, the invasion happened about 4:37 a.m. Saturday, when Manuel and 29-year-old Sean M. Simmons entered the home at 6 Bridge St.

Inside, they found a 30-yearold man and his 39-year-old stepmother. According to the victims, Manuel charged at the man with a handgun while Simmons held the woman down on the couch. Then Manuel allegedly tossed the gun aside and punched the man in the face, causing pain and bleeding.

The two suspects then left the residence, police said. Both victims saw the men get into a white Honda Accord, the report states, and the stepmother provided police with a partial license plate number.

With that information, police identified Manuel as a suspect. By about 7:30 a.m., they had tracked him to the “Legion of Doom” motorcycle clubhouse, 242 Old Canterbury Turnpike.

Police said they found both Manuel and Simmons inside. Simmons lists the clubhouse as his home address.

According to police, Manuel agreed to be interviewed and admitted to going to 6 Bridge St. and punching a man in the face. Police said Manuel told them he did it because his sister said the 30-year-old man had shoved her and had assaulted her friend.

Manuel’s sister’s friend is dating the 30-year-old man, according to the police report.

Surveillance video police obtained from the clubhouse showed the pair left just five minutes before 4:37 a.m. The clubhouse is less than a mile from 6 Bridge St.

The video footage also shows the duo returning about 5:15 a.m., according to the report.

Police on Saturday carried out a search warrant to recover the firearm reportedly used in the incident.

On Monday, Manuel was arraigned in Norwich Superior Court. Held on a $100,000 bond, he is next due in court Nov. 20.

Simmons, who was charged with home invasion, second-degree threatening and interfering with a 911 call, posted his $100,000 bond and is due in the same court Nov. 2.