Lynn man arrested in Swampscott with machete

SWAMPSCOTT – A Lynn man who allegedly told police he is a member of the MS-13 gang and was getting ready to fight a member or members of the rival Crips gang was arrested Saturday for brandishing a machete in Vinnin Square.Erick Lopez, 21, 23 Stone Place No. 1, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon (machete) and violation of the town’s knife ordinance.According to police, a woman shopping in the Vinnin Square area witnessed five youths preparing to fight in front of the Salem Five Bank.Detective Sgt. Tim Cassidy said the female witness drove up to Sgt. Joseph Kable, who was patrolling the area of the bank, and reported what she saw.”She reported that there were several youths in front of the bank with sticks and one male party later identified as waving a machete at the other youths,” Cassidy said. “Sergeant Kable, Officer Brendan Reen and Detective Jim Schultz all responded to the call.”Cassidy said the males holding the sticks told police Lopez had threatened them in Lynn a week ago and then threatened them again Saturday.”Officers searched the area and located Lopez shopping inside Stop & Shop,” Cassidy said. “Lopez was placed under arrest and officers located the machete which Lopez was holding.During booking Lopez informed officers that he is part of the MS-13 gang and that at least one of the youths he was going to fight with is a member of the Crips.Lopez is not a stranger to police on the North Shore. In January 2008, Lopez, who at the time gave police an address of 23 Stone Place #2, Lynn, was arrested along with six other suspected gang members in Lynn.Lopez and the other men were arrested with the help of the FBI for trespassing at the Strawberry Avenue Playground. According to police, the men are alleged members of the El Salvadorian gang MS-13.Arrested with Lopez were Manuel Mendes, of 58 Kirtland St., Lynn, Elder Palma of 142 Timson St. #1, Lynn, Sammy Cancino of 454 Chatham St. #1, Lynn, Jose Recino of 299 Lexington St. #2, East Boston, Kevin Avelar of 110 South St. #1, Lynn and Juan Iraheta of 83 North Common St. #2, Lynn.All seven people were charged with trespassing by being in the park after dark. Cancino, Recinos, Avelar and Iraheta were additionally charged with violating the city’s knife ordinance.