WARSAW — Three men were arrested after a fight involving local blood gang members broke out in a Warsaw McDonald’s.

Frankie Vernon Winiavski Jr., 24, 5205 E. Pierceton Road, Pierceton, is being charged with criminal gang activity, a level 6 felony; battery, a class A misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.

Johnathan Michael Pappas, 24, 519 W. Winona Ave., Warsaw, is being charged with criminal gang activity, a level 6 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; battery, a class A misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.

Coulter Slone

Coulter Slone, 19, 1520 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, is being charged with battery while armed with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; battery with moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony; and disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.

On Dec. 8, officers with the Warsaw Police Department responded to a battery in progress at McDonald’s. Upon arrival, officers located Pappas standing at the front of the counter with a red bandanna tied around his neck and a red shirt on. Another male, Winiavski, was standing beside Pappas with no shirt on and a red bandanna tied around his neck in a similar fashion. Winiavski was bleeding from his left eye and forehead.

When officers requested Pappas to place his hands behind his back, Pappas positioned himself in a confrontational manner and resisted law enforcement. Officers were able to safely handcuff him.

A McDonald’s employee pointed out a boxcutter that was lying on the ground and advised it had been used in a physical altercation. The employee also identified the other man involved in the fight, Slone.

Slone told officers that he was jumped by Winiavski and Pappas. According to the affidavit, the men were yelling they were “blood” gang members and were going to kick his a**. Winiavski then “swung” at him and Slone pulled a knife out, punched him and went to slice Winiavski.

Slone was unsure if he actually cut Winiavski. He then got on top of Winiavski and started to hit him. At that point, Pappas kicked him in the face.

Officers then spoke with Winiavski and observed a bleeding cut to his forehead and another near his left eye. Winiavski told officers that Slone initiated contact with a box cutter and he had fought back.

Winiavski told officers that he has been involved in the bloods gang for the last two to three years. According to Winiavski, he is allowed to recruit other members for the blood gang. He admitted that himself, Pappas, and other area residents are part of a “rolling 20s blood set” and are responsible for the rolling 20s graffiti in Warsaw.

All three men were arrested on Dec. 8 and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail.