Lynn youths arrested in stabbing

LYNN – Four Lynn youths were arraigned Thursday for their alleged involvement in the stabbing of a teenager Wednesday night at the Strawberry Avenue Playground.Jean P. De La Cruz, 20, of 50 Adams St., Steven Sao, 17, of 234 South Common St. #6 and two 14-year-old boys were all arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.Douglas Nolasco, 17, of Lynn, was stabbed in the arm with a machete shortly before 8 p.m. The four suspects were arrested about 15 minutes later at the corner of Mall and Boston streets.A witness to the stabbing identified De La Cruz as the alleged slasher.Police didn’t say if the stabbing was gang-related, but a police report states that Sao is a member of the Crips.Nolasco was playing soccer with his two brothers and some friends shortly before the attack occurred, according to police.Witnesses said there was a group of approximately 25 males, mostly Black, when an altercation occurred between the two groups, police said.Nolasco said the soccer ball got away from his friends and landed near the suspects shortly before the attack, according to police.Before Nolasco was stabbed, his brother said someone yelled, “42, hey, 42.” The slasher allegedly acknowledged that statement and grabbed a machete from that person before he stabbed Nolasco.Lynn District Court Judge Ellen Flatley ordered De La Cruz held without bail until a dangerousness hearing is held April 3.Flatley ordered Sao held without bail at a juvenile detention facility because he allegedly violated the terms of his probation from a juvenile court case. He is due back in Lynn District Court May 13 for a pre-trial hearing.