Lynn man arraigned after road rage ramming incident

LYNN-A local restaurant manager was arraigned Wednesday on several motor vehicle and assault charges after he allegedly used his car to ram another vehicle on Dowfield Terrace over the weekend.Dionel Nolasco Chavez, 27, of 571 Western Ave., Lynn, was released on personal recognizance by Lynn District Court Judge Ellen Flatley and ordered to stay away from the victims in the case.Chavez, a manager at a McDonalds restaurant, was arrested at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday after he allegedly rammed a parked car with his vehicle following a disagreement with two men on Dowfield Terrace, which is near the intersection of Boston and Bulfinch streets.According to police, Chavez pulled into the street and honked the horn of his 1995 Toyota in front of a home, where two of the residents came outside.The two men began arguing with Chavez, who, at that point, allegedly threw a beer bottle at one of the men. Chavez then allegedly took a tire jack out of his trunk and threw it at one of them. Both objects missed hitting the men.Police allege Chavez then got back into his vehicle and drove at the victims, but they jumped out of the way and Chavez’s car hit a parked vehicle, also a Toyota, instead.He then allegedly backed up and rammed the parked car again.Chavez’s car was parked in front of 276 Boston St., blocking the driveway, when police arrived, police said.According to police, as a bystander described the suspect as a small Hispanic male, he told police, “That’s him!” as Chavez was walking by.Shortly before the five-foot-tall Chavez was arrested, he told police he came to Dowfield Terrace to visit a family member and the two alleged victims had assaulted him.Chavez said one of the men punched him in the face, and police indicated Chavez did have a bloody nose while they were speaking with him.Chavez said he had problems with the victims in the past, according to police.Police arrested Chavez on the following charges: four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (beer bottle, tire jack and two for a motor vehicle), malicious destruction of property over $250, driving without a license, driving an uninsured vehicle, reckless operation of a vehicle and driving a vehicle with revoked registration.Chavez also may have given police a false name, because he was initially listed as “Minor Chavez,” age 31, of 561 Western Ave. But that information was later amended to Dionel Nolasco Chavez, 27, of 571 Western Ave.A Spanish interpreter was used during Chavez’s arraignment.Judge Flatley ordered Chavez back in court Dec. 20 for a pre-trial hearing.