Man seriously hurt in machete attack

Chelsea police arrest 3 'persons of interest' in case

A Dorchester man was in serious but stable condition yesterday after several men attacked him with a machete Friday in Chelsea.

The attack occurred about 3:30 p.m. at 54 Cary Ave. The victim had 13 to 15 wounds from the machete. Chelsea police said five or six men were present during the attack. Police pursued them on foot, tackling and arresting three.

The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Police arrested Noel Portillo, 19, of Chelsea, Jose Soto, 18, of East Boston, and Luis Tamico Romero, 19, of Chelsea. Portillo and Romero were charged with possession of an illegal knife, and Soto was charged with disorderly conduct. Police recovered a machete near the scene of the arrests.

All three men were being held yesterday by police, who said they considered the men "persons of interest" in the attack, though none have been officially charged with it.

"We believe they were involved," said Police Captain Keith Houghton. "We're thinking they will become suspects."

Police said they are also investigating whether another man was involved. The East Boston man, who is being treated at Massachusetts General for a wound to his hand, said he was attacked on Meridian Street in East Boston the same afternoon.

Houghton said the man is an associate of the three men who were arrested. He said the man might have been among the attackers in the Chelsea case and was cut accidentally. Chelsea and Boston police are working together on the case.

"He's a victim right now," Houghton said. But, he added, "It might have been a case of 'friendly fire.' "