From the files of the “you can’t make this stuff up” department — one of the men accused of participating in a canary-fighting operation lives on Parrot Avenue in Bridgeport.
Elito Goulart was one of 19 men arrested on animal cruelty and gambling charges after police raided a house on Ripton Road Sunday.
The people in the house were getting ready for a match, according to police.
Shelton police said the house served as home base for a bird-fighting ring. It was, apparently, a lucrative and active enterprise, as police discovered about $8,000 in cash, along with about 150 birds.
Authorities were at the scene for much of yesterday, confiscating 150 birds in all. The following people were charged Sunday:
Rogerio DeCarvalho, 35, Rowan Street, Danbury
Geraldo Teixeira, 43, Schuyler Ave Kearny, N.J.
Ricardo Almeida, 29, Division Street, Danbury
Waldiney Almeida, 29, Plymouth Street Holbrook, Mass.
Auder Gontijo, 43, West Main Street, Marlborough, Mass.
Elito Goulart, 47, Parrot Avenue, Bridgeport
Getulio Serra, 62, Grand Street, Danbury
Sebastian Andrade, 37, Merrimack Street, Danbury
Lucas Dos Santos, 25, Pacific St Newark, N.J.
Odeci Dos Santos, 43, Sumo Village Ct Newark, N.J.
Gilson Goncalves, 31, Benford Avenue, Danbury
Nonato Raimundo, 51, Cottage Street, Danbury
Welson Sales, 38, Waverly Street, Framingham, Mass.
Celco Soares, 33, Pleasant Street, Marlborough, Mass.
Marcos Teles, 36, Barbara Street, Newark N.J.
Agostinho Gondinho, 35, Balmforth Avenue, Danbury
Massilon DePaula, 32, Great Pasture Road, Danbury
Welson Morais, 26, Claflin Street, Framingham, Mass.
Jurames Goulart, 42, 176 Ripton Road, Shelton
Police identified the homeowner as Jurames Goulart. He faces an additional charge of interfering with police because he allegedly hid in a locked room when police entered the house.
Gilson Goncalves, meanwhile, was wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to police. Precisely why wasn’t known Monday morning.
